I was really hit during my prep time for Sunday’s lesson by this concept of struggling in a Christian’s life. I realized that suffering isn’t that evident in my life because, in many ways, I had stopped struggling.  I had been seeking after ease and a “smooth flow” in my life, which, after looking at many of Christ’s words, proved to be contrary to His way of living.

So, I’m committing again to a life of struggle – against sin, against my pride, against apathy, against love of possessions, against worldliness.  After all, that’s the kind of life Christ lived, and He told me to follow Him.  These verses come to mind: Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Hebrews 12:3-4).

So, here’s the questions I left you with at the end of class. They’re in a certain order – the answer to each one is directly influenced by how you answer the question following it:

Are you suffering (for Christ)?

Are you struggling (against sin and the devil)?

Are you following (Christ in His mission)?

Are you abiding (in Christ, the true Vine)?