Why Does the Christian Life Seem So Hard?Намуна

My Disappointing Christian Life

Many Christians have a life verse that encapsulates what they’ve experienced with God so far and what they aspire to be. Things like “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28) or “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

If I were honest, Romans 7:19 might fit best as mine. You could sum up my life as “so many good intentions, so little progress.” I’ve been a Christian for over 30 years now, and I am often dismayed at my lack of spiritual maturity. Why do I still struggle so much with self-control? Why am I still so instinctively jealous of the successes of others? Why am I so tightfisted with money, even money I don’t really need? Why does gossip come so much more naturally to me than prayer?

If you’re anything like me, you’ll be grateful for the Apostle Paul’s candid expression of struggle in Romans 7. This chapter feels like a lifeline to me because in it I see that even for him, the great apostle, the Christian life was not one easy victory after another. Quite the opposite. It’s vital to get our minds around that. Otherwise, soon enough, we’ll get discouraged and think, “Something didn’t take. I must not be cut out for this Christianity thing. Or maybe it’s not real.”

But here’s the reality: The “normal” Christian life is a struggle to the very end. I actually find that tremendously encouraging—because it means my struggle isn’t in vain. You and I (and the Apostle Paul) … we’re in good company.

Quote for Reflection:

“All of life is a battle between two selves, but there’s a different war before you become a Christian from the war that happens after you become a Christian… Paul is trying to show us here that there’s a war between the selves that happens before you meet Christ, and then there’s a war between the selves that happens after you meet Christ. Before you meet Christ, the war between the selves is a world without hope. You cannot win… The war after you meet Christ you cannot lose.”

–Tim Keller, “War Between Your Selves—Part 1,” sermon preached at Redeemer Presbyterian Church.