It is amazing to me how we have contorted Christianity. We think being a Christian will give us a long-lived future of perfect peace. I too believe that a life with Christ will bring inner peace, for I know not what tomorrow brings, but if I have Christ Jesus, even death has no sting. (1 Corinthians 15:55)
However, the church has made Christianity to be something totally different than what was the fate of almost every disciple. The disciples did not have “Your Best Life Now.” They were persecuted martyrs. This doctrine of false religion keeps people and Christianity inside the protected walls of the church. It is a belief that if you are “His” you will have favor everywhere you go.
I am pretty sure that we are supposed to be like Jesus. (ref 1 John 2:6) I mean, that is our quest isn't it? Jesus himself said that the world would hate us because it hated Him first. (John 15:18-19)
Paul, who wrote the majority of the New Testament, must not have understood the “Best Life Now, perfect favor message.”
"As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"
When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:10-13 NASB)
We know that Paul spent the rest of his life in prison and it is believed that he was beheaded during Nero's reign. If Paul would have just understood how to have “The Best Life Now.”
Do we really believe as Paul did? If you really believe in eternal life, this present life would be easily spent for Christ Jesus.
