What would Paul think of these celebrity preachers on TV peddling some soft-soap “gospel”? But, maybe even more challenging is, what would Paul think of modern Christianity. As one reads the NT epistles the subject of suffering for the faith is always lingering on the edge of the discussion.

Remember the word that I said to you, “A slave is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they followed My word, they will follow yours also. (John 15:20)

And after they had preached the gospel to that city and had made a good number of disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:21-22)

But we have this treasure in earthen containers, so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who live are constantly being handed over to death because of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you. (II Corinthians 4:7-12)

Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (II Timothy 3:10-13)

If you were going to serve King Jesus, it was going to actually demand total allegiance. Christianity has become so convenient, at least in the U.S. (and I know this is not true everywhere!), that we have almost entirely forgotten we are at spiritual war. This fact never seems far from Paul’s thoughts. We are fighting against darkness and enemies that seek to take us captive and lead us back into darkness. The remedy is the complete and authentic gospel of Jesus Christ, and nothing else will get the job done.

Don’t let the “good life” here and now hinder your service, and don’t let the “easy life” distract you from the REAL Life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.