2 Timothy 2:3
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Lionel Richie's breakup might have been easy, easy like a Sunday morning but being a Christian isn't. I have heard so many people say that the Christian life is so easy. They say that God handles everything, which is implying that He doesn't allow any difficulties to come your way. Preachers have reduced their messages of suffering for the cause of Christ, to never suffering because we are entitled.
The Word of God reveals to us a different message. It tells us that hardness or hardships will come. It doesn't say IF the righteous are afflicted, it says many are the afflictions of the righteous (Psalms 34:19). It doesn't say that IF trouble comes, it says He is an ever present help in time of trouble (Psalms 46:1). Scripture tells us that suffering will happen as long as we are following Jesus.
This mornings scripture tells us that we need to endure hardness. Enduring hardness does not account for righteousness before God. Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ. Enduring the hard times and afflictions draws us to a closer relationship with Him. It teaches us to depend upon Jesus for our strength. Look at how the Word tells us that we should do this as a "good soldier" of Jesus. Soldiers suffer hard times and hardships.
Do you think Sunday morning are easy? Maybe that's where this phrase comes in to play with our churches. Many, many Christian churches today have abandoned their nightly or weekly services. Making it easy like Sunday morning. "It's difficult to be devoted to Sunday night Pastor"... "Wednesday? I work way too late, or I would rather watch my favorite shows"... Making Sunday morning easy!
Well when we make Sunday mornings easy, what happens when things aren't easy? What about when difficulties come? When the wind blows? If we forsake our studies, fellowship, discipleship, and prayer time we will be so weak. We are setting ourselves up for failure when we see things in God's army as, "Easy Like Sunday Mornings". Really and truly, Sunday's are easy compared to Monday when you don't feel like reading the Word. Or Tuesday, when you don't feel like praying. Or Wednesday, when you don't feel like going. Or Thursday, when you fight to stay above water all day. Or Friday, when everything has fallen apart. Or Saturday, when you have to work to make ends meet. The Christian life is not easy like a Sunday morning. It's difficult and Jesus tells us to endure hardness as a good soldier.
