But what about now?

roguemouser said:

I am a new Christian. My faith, I think is strong, but it's being tested in the extreme. Through it, I outside Good and thank him for this chance to grow and learn.

I have something I'd like to ask about. It's not an issue of doubt, rather something I don't really understand.

Good promises us eternal reward in heaven. This is a wondrous and beautiful thing. But heaven is not here. It's another place, a new world. We are promised eternal life in heaven with joy and love and all that is good.

But, my problem is that I've never really cared about what happens to me when this body stupid working. Often to my detriment, I have lived my life entirely in the moment. It's not something I strive for or try to accomplish, is the way I've always been. I don't seem capable of thinking beyond right now in any meaningful way. So while I look forward to heaven, is not a priority in my life. God is, Jesus is, but the promised reward is not my reason for coming to Christ. I came to Christ to change my life and become a better person in this life, not the next.

I've been reading the bible, and it tells me again and again that being better person and believing in Him ensure our rewards in heaven. But I'm les concerned with the next world than I am in being filled with love and joy in this world, and that's not really happening no matter how much I read and study. In fact, things have seemed to get worse since my conversion, though I'm being told that it's all a test of faith, or meant to grow my faith.

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

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This life and even your new birth in Christ, is not primarily for you, but for God, and for his purposes and glory. You may never get your answers, and in the struggle for obedience you learn that this is all the work of Christ, of God in you, of the Holy Spirit, of constantly putting to death "the old man" in you.

At least for me, my joy and extreme satisfaction comes from realizing the authority behind all this is in Christ --not in me. I am not even my own judge. My assessments are not his. True, I have my own conscience to live up to, but it is blind and silly too. I must do the best I can, but leave it up to God to judge. When I know I've done wrong, I must turn to him and repent, but it is pretentious to think my conscience is the authority on what I've done right or wrong, or even that my repentance is real without him doing it in me.

I've lived 63 years coming to realize that I will never get it all quite right. I am tired, though satisfied in him. What has happened though, is that I am revolted by my own sin, my own rebellion and self-importance, and he has built in me an intense desire to see him as he is, and "the old man" gone with no trace remaining. I'm not interested in reward, so much as simply to finally be with him, to know him as I am known by him, unashamed, my whole existence realized to be sustained by him (I know it now, but not like I will then). Home. Rest. Consuming Joy.

roguemouser said:

I am a new Christian. My faith, I think is strong, but it's being tested in the extreme. Through it, I outside Good and thank him for this chance to grow and learn.

I have something I'd like to ask about. It's not an issue of doubt, rather something I don't really understand.

Good promises us eternal reward in heaven. This is a wondrous and beautiful thing. But heaven is not here. It's another place, a new world. We are promised eternal life in heaven with joy and love and all that is good.

But, my problem is that I've never really cared about what happens to me when this body stupid working. Often to my detriment, I have lived my life entirely in the moment. It's not something I strive for or try to accomplish, is the way I've always been. I don't seem capable of thinking beyond right now in any meaningful way. So while I look forward to heaven, is not a priority in my life. God is, Jesus is, but the promised reward is not my reason for coming to Christ. I came to Christ to change my life and become a better person in this life, not the next.

I've been reading the bible, and it tells me again and again that being better person and believing in Him ensure our rewards in heaven. But I'm les concerned with the next world than I am in being filled with love and joy in this world, and that's not really happening no matter how much I read and study. In fact, things have seemed to get worse since my conversion, though I'm being told that it's all a test of faith, or meant to grow my faith.

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

Click to expand...

I'll say this. If your life was under extreme persecution on a daily basis like it is for so many Christians in this world and as it was for the early Christians, your attitude about heaven would be more in earnest.

roguemouser said:

I am a new Christian. My faith, I think is strong, but it's being tested in the extreme. Through it, I outside Good and thank him for this chance to grow and learn.

I have something I'd like to ask about. It's not an issue of doubt, rather something I don't really understand.

Good promises us eternal reward in heaven. This is a wondrous and beautiful thing. But heaven is not here. It's another place, a new world. We are promised eternal life in heaven with joy and love and all that is good.

But, my problem is that I've never really cared about what happens to me when this body stupid working. Often to my detriment, I have lived my life entirely in the moment. It's not something I strive for or try to accomplish, is the way I've always been. I don't seem capable of thinking beyond right now in any meaningful way. So while I look forward to heaven, is not a priority in my life. God is, Jesus is, but the promised reward is not my reason for coming to Christ. I came to Christ to change my life and become a better person in this life, not the next.

I've been reading the bible, and it tells me again and again that being better person and believing in Him ensure our rewards in heaven. But I'm les concerned with the next world than I am in being filled with love and joy in this world, and that's not really happening no matter how much I read and study. In fact, things have seemed to get worse since my conversion, though I'm being told that it's all a test of faith, or meant to grow my faith.

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

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“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV

The Christian walk can be difficult to navigate, with Paul reminding believers that, despite the difficulties that might come, we can find strength in God. Accepting Christ doesn’t mean life will be simple and easy — but through God, we can and will be sustained.

God Bless.

roguemouser said:

I am a new Christian. My faith, I think is strong, but it's being tested in the extreme. Through it, I outside Good and thank him for this chance to grow and learn.

I have something I'd like to ask about. It's not an issue of doubt, rather something I don't really understand.

Good promises us eternal reward in heaven. This is a wondrous and beautiful thing. But heaven is not here. It's another place, a new world. We are promised eternal life in heaven with joy and love and all that is good.

But, my problem is that I've never really cared about what happens to me when this body stupid working. Often to my detriment, I have lived my life entirely in the moment. It's not something I strive for or try to accomplish, is the way I've always been. I don't seem capable of thinking beyond right now in any meaningful way. So while I look forward to heaven, is not a priority in my life. God is, Jesus is, but the promised reward is not my reason for coming to Christ. I came to Christ to change my life and become a better person in this life, not the next.

I've been reading the bible, and it tells me again and again that being better person and believing in Him ensure our rewards in heaven. But I'm les concerned with the next world than I am in being filled with love and joy in this world, and that's not really happening no matter how much I read and study. In fact, things have seemed to get worse since my conversion, though I'm being told that it's all a test of faith, or meant to grow my faith.

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

Click to expand...

This life is way too short. So you need to focus more on where you will end up next.
But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:37-39
Don't be too obssessed with this world.

roguemouser said:

I am a new Christian. My faith, I think is strong, but it's being tested in the extreme. Through it, I outside Good and thank him for this chance to grow and learn.

I have something I'd like to ask about. It's not an issue of doubt, rather something I don't really understand.

Good promises us eternal reward in heaven. This is a wondrous and beautiful thing. But heaven is not here. It's another place, a new world. We are promised eternal life in heaven with joy and love and all that is good.

But, my problem is that I've never really cared about what happens to me when this body stupid working. Often to my detriment, I have lived my life entirely in the moment. It's not something I strive for or try to accomplish, is the way I've always been. I don't seem capable of thinking beyond right now in any meaningful way. So while I look forward to heaven, is not a priority in my life. God is, Jesus is, but the promised reward is not my reason for coming to Christ. I came to Christ to change my life and become a better person in this life, not the next.

I've been reading the bible, and it tells me again and again that being better person and believing in Him ensure our rewards in heaven. But I'm les concerned with the next world than I am in being filled with love and joy in this world, and that's not really happening no matter how much I read and study. In fact, things have seemed to get worse since my conversion, though I'm being told that it's all a test of faith, or meant to grow my faith.

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

Click to expand...

Interesting observations, but we NEED to be concerned about the future ---especially after we die; for we will face our Creator-God at some point ---either right away in Heaven, IF we are a true "born again" believer in Jesus, the Christ (see John 14:6), or later after we wake up and stand at the "Great White Throne" where God will reveal Himself and cast one into Hell.

Our "reward in this world" as you mentioned, is walking and talking with God's "beloved Son" ---Jesus, the Christ of God, who gives us peace and many blessings daily by His Holy Spirit in us. Be sure you know the Lord Jesus and are trusting Him daily. He should be our best Friend in this life ---then there are rewards daily in our heart. Look up always!

There is definitely peace today for the Christian. Knowing that God is with us, now, is more than comforting. It is truth that can be tested and relied upon.

I have been reading a commentary by Charles Swindoll on the book of Romans. He discussed how Abraham's day to day living was a challenge of trying to find peace in waiting for God's plan to come about. The son promised to him, Isaac, didn't come for a very long time. Yet, daily, Abraham developed an ongoing, growing trust in God through each day's struggles. Lot was captured and in need of rescue. Or disagreements with Lot about sharing grazing space. Abraham saw God answer the little prayers over the long term that lead finally to God answering the big one in blessing him and Sarah with their son. This process of daily relying on God and seeing those blessings happen allowed Abraham to have a real faith in the ultimate promise from God. It helped him develop day to day peace with trusting God.

The message of "joy" and "peace" found in the New Testament is confusing at times. Jesus said in Mat. 10:34, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth," and at other times He says the opposite. Especially in John's Gospel. In the parable of the Good Shepherd, Jesus says "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (Jhn 10:10).

The Christian life is not easy. The more you shine with the Holy Spirit, the more the devil or the world will despise you. Our own "joy" and "peace" comes from experiencing God working in our life, day to day; problem by problem. We see God's real help in time of need, today. It might be something small like finding lost keys. Or a beautiful sunrise from our creator. And it will undoubtedly come to the point where the big things arise like illness, job loss, struggle over sin, etc. Living day to day, growing in knowledge of God, trusting in Him, and seeing his blessings are what being a Christian is all about.

As we trust in God everyday, we grow like Abraham. We develop peace in the day to day. We learn "joy" as our confidence grows and we can honestly say, "God's got this!"

roguemouser said:

Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now

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Yes, of course. Having a minute by minute ongoing relationship with God is its own reward moment by moment.

roguemouser said:

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

Click to expand...

We can count on what God promised us in Heaven. This world is wicked, we cannot count on a blessed and happy life here. Jesus makes it clear in John 15:18-21 and John 16:33 that this isn't going to be an easy walk.

There may be blessings here and there, but think of them as a bonus, above and beyond what to expect.

God is working on you!
What are you doing to serve others?

I did not experience the fullness of God's love and blessings in my life until I started serving others. My reward in this world is that I get to be God's instrument of ministry in other people's lives every.single.day.

roguemouser said:

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

Click to expand...

In the early days of Christianity, there were sects that came about that taught there were 2 gods. A lower evil one of the earth, and a heavenly god which was good. who sent Jesus to tell us about him. This likely came about as the scriptures were few and far apart... but once the Bible became canon, the 2 god teaching declined substantially. The thing is, one can use the scriptures, especially if one overly emphasizes Paul and John to the exclusion of the rest of the Gospels in combination with personal trials and tribulations to come to a conclusion with parallels to the 2 god teaching. Earth = bad, heaven = good

The thing is... when you follow Christ, you will experience trouble, in some cases a whole ton of trouble. But, this isn't the whole story, when you follow Christ, you will find joy beyond compare, on this earth... its not just some academic construct we get to via our own efforts, or that we won't see until we kick the bucket.

This joy is not situational... consider the writings of Paul, and how often he was in prison, yet he was joyful, despite some pretty terrible circumstances. Its also interesting to note Paul's behavior prior to conversion. He was zealous hard core guy looking to stamp out Christianity. He was doing God's work, so he thought... and while the scriptures are silent on this, my guess is he had a pretty good life and was well regarded by those in power and with money. Then he encounters Jesus, and now he is getting in trouble, a lot. He is thrown into prison time and time again. No doubt folks who knew him before figured he went off the deep end... and yet now Paul's joy is really intense and non-situationally dependent.

it might be helpful to study Phillipians for a bit.

You can also see this in the relatively recent writings of Bonhoeffer when he was in a Nazi prison prior to being executed during WWII

roguemouser said:

I am a new Christian. My faith, I think is strong, but it's being tested in the extreme. Through it, I outside Good and thank him for this chance to grow and learn.

I have something I'd like to ask about. It's not an issue of doubt, rather something I don't really understand.

Good promises us eternal reward in heaven. This is a wondrous and beautiful thing. But heaven is not here. It's another place, a new world. We are promised eternal life in heaven with joy and love and all that is good.

But, my problem is that I've never really cared about what happens to me when this body stupid working. Often to my detriment, I have lived my life entirely in the moment. It's not something I strive for or try to accomplish, is the way I've always been. I don't seem capable of thinking beyond right now in any meaningful way. So while I look forward to heaven, is not a priority in my life. God is, Jesus is, but the promised reward is not my reason for coming to Christ. I came to Christ to change my life and become a better person in this life, not the next.

I've been reading the bible, and it tells me again and again that being better person and believing in Him ensure our rewards in heaven. But I'm les concerned with the next world than I am in being filled with love and joy in this world, and that's not really happening no matter how much I read and study. In fact, things have seemed to get worse since my conversion, though I'm being told that it's all a test of faith, or meant to grow my faith.

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

Click to expand...

Question: "Why is following Christ so difficult?"

Answer: No sane parent has ever said, “I wish my children would misbehave,” and there’s never been a self-help book entitled How to Live an Unhappy Life. We all want blessings, happiness, and fulfillment, and we associate a happy condition with a certain amount of ease. Jesus promises blessing and fulfillment to those who follow Him (John 4:14), but many people have been surprised that the way of Christ is not as easy as they had hoped. Sometimes, following Christ can be downright difficult.

The fact is, blessing and hardship are not mutually exclusive. The disciples “left everything” to follow Christ, and the Lord promised them “a hundred times as much” blessing in return (Mark 10:28-30). Jesus warned that all who follow Him must deny themselves and bear a daily cross (Luke 9:23). Hardship, to be sure, but hardship with a purpose and leading to the joy of the Lord.

Followers of Christ also face resistance from the world. “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus did not promise His disciples that everything would be coming up roses for them; just the opposite—He promised that they would have trials in this world (John 16:33). “But take heart!” He told them, “I have overcome the world.”

God’s moral laws have been written on the heart of every human – giving all people a conscience to aid them in determining wrong from right (Romans 2:14-15). When a person becomes a follower of Christ, he not only has God’s laws in his heart, but he also has the indwelling Holy Spirit to compel him toward living righteously (Romans 8:11). This in no way means the Christian will stop sinning, but it does mean the Christian will become more aware of his own personal sin and have a genuine desire to do what is pleasing to Christ (Romans 8:14-16).

In many ways, it is after a person is saved that the struggle against sin really heats up in his life. All people are born with a nature that is bent toward sin, which is why children do not need to be taught how to misbehave – that comes naturally. When a person is converted, the sin nature does not disappear – and so the internal conflict begins in the life of every believer.

The apostle Paul, who called himself a “bondservant to Christ,” writes of the struggle with his sin nature in Romans 7:14-25. In verse 15 he says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). Christians engaged in this battle have a true desire to avoid sin, but they also have a natural desire to indulge the flesh. They become frustrated when they find themselves “doing what they don’t want to do.” And to further complicate matters, Christians not only do not want to sin, they hate sin. Yet, they still sin.

Paul goes on to write, “It is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me” (Romans 7:17). Paul is referring to the dichotomy caused by the new birth – Paul is a “new man” through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). But he still sins because sin is still alive in the human flesh – the sin nature survives the new birth (Romans 7:18). Paul calls the internal strife a “war,” as the new man battles the old man. Paul found the battle quite distressing because he wanted to do well (Romans 7:23). “What a wretched man I am,” Paul cries out in his distress (Romans 7:24).

Every Christian who is attempting to live righteously is called to this battlefield for his entire life. We are in a spiritual battle. But in grace and mercy, God gives the faithful believer an entire suit of armor for the fight (Ephesians 6:13).

The Christian life is never easy, but the difficulties do not negate the joy. We consider Jesus, who “for the joy set before him . . . endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). God has set us free from the slavery to sin. The victory is ours (2 Corinthians 2:14). Through the Holy Spirit, believers receive encouragement, strength to persevere, and reminders of their adoption into the family of God. We know that our “present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed” (Romans 8:18).

www.gotquestions.org/following-Christ.html

roguemouser said:

But, my problem is that I've never really cared about what happens to me when this body stupid working. Often to my detriment, I have lived my life entirely in the moment. It's not something I strive for or try to accomplish, is the way I've always been. I don't seem capable of thinking beyond right now in any meaningful way. So while I look forward to heaven, is not a priority in my life. God is, Jesus is, but the promised reward is not my reason for coming to Christ. I came to Christ to change my life and become a better person in this life, not the next

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Living for the EXPERIENCE will always be a roller coaster life and a life full of depression if one thinks that their experiential status should always be happy. Happiness comes from experiential stimuli; Joy comes from deep within and is not dependent upon our circumstances so our moment by moment experience cannot steal our joy. When one is saved they are saved from burning eternally, not momentarily, in the fiery furnace or the lake of fire. Burns for just a second are very painful. It blacks me out to even try to imagine my whole body on fire eternally. I think that you should really back up and contemplate what Jesus has done for you. He, God the Son, allowed Himself to be humiliated, tortured, and then killed the most painfully and long lasting way the Romans had devised, for you/in your place because of your sin, not His. Because of Him you no longer have to be condemned to be living moment to moment on a roller coaster seeking joy. You have it. You are NOW a citizen heaven. The Bible tells us that. You are to live by the Spirit. We are aliens in this world as sung by Petra. We are not to be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus Ro 12:1-2. The way we are or were is not the way we are to become' Jesus said that He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life John 14:6.

When I was saved the tract entitled "The Four Spiritual Laws" by CCC (Cru) was used. It is still very much around and the original diagram and explanation I am referring to is there I believe. In explaining one's life in Christ it used an older train with a coal car right behind the engine and a caboose trailing behind. The engine was the FACTS of God's Word which is our foundation of our salvation, the coal car is the FAITH which makes God's Word alive or run and the caboose is our feelings, happy or sad, which trails behind and need not even be there to make the train run. The explanation is more lengthy such as how a caboose (feelings) is totally incapable of pulling the train and if one allows their feelings lead them in their Christian life they are unable to even be secure in their salvation as feelings are fleeting and fickle and how faith has to have an object and such.

roguemouser said:

I am a new Christian. My faith, I think is strong, but it's being tested in the extreme. Through it, I outside Good and thank him for this chance to grow and learn.

I have something I'd like to ask about. It's not an issue of doubt, rather something I don't really understand.

Good promises us eternal reward in heaven. This is a wondrous and beautiful thing. But heaven is not here. It's another place, a new world. We are promised eternal life in heaven with joy and love and all that is good.

But, my problem is that I've never really cared about what happens to me when this body stupid working. Often to my detriment, I have lived my life entirely in the moment. It's not something I strive for or try to accomplish, is the way I've always been. I don't seem capable of thinking beyond right now in any meaningful way. So while I look forward to heaven, is not a priority in my life. God is, Jesus is, but the promised reward is not my reason for coming to Christ. I came to Christ to change my life and become a better person in this life, not the next.

I've been reading the bible, and it tells me again and again that being better person and believing in Him ensure our rewards in heaven. But I'm les concerned with the next world than I am in being filled with love and joy in this world, and that's not really happening no matter how much I read and study. In fact, things have seemed to get worse since my conversion, though I'm being told that it's all a test of faith, or meant to grow my faith.

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

Click to expand...

The answer to your question is yes, there is reward for the faithful in this life. Its the peace of God. Its the joy in the holy ghost. Review the fruits of the spirit. All of those things would be manifested in your life. The problem is, you are in the middle of a controversy between God and Satan right now and in this world the devil is trying to get as much as he can on his side and he will attack God's people as much as he can. While on the inside you can have the peace of God, your surroundings may reflect chaos and strife because this is a battleground. You do the best you can on this earth but the real reward is in the life to come when there is no sin, no devil, no death and fullness of job.

roguemouser said:

But, my problem is that I've never really cared about what happens to me when this body stupid working. Often to my detriment, I have lived my life entirely in the moment. It's not something I strive for or try to accomplish, is the way I've always been. I don't seem capable of thinking beyond right now in any meaningful way. So while I look forward to heaven, is not a priority in my life. God is, Jesus is, but the promised reward is not my reason for coming to Christ. I came to Christ to change my life and become a better person in this life, not the next.

I've been reading the bible, and it tells me again and again that being better person and believing in Him ensure our rewards in heaven. But I'm les concerned with the next world than I am in being filled with love and joy in this world, and that's not really happening no matter how much I read and study. In fact, things have seemed to get worse since my conversion, though I'm being told that it's all a test of faith, or meant to grow my faith.

So my question, as much as I can put it into words, is What about now? Is there reward in this world for the faithful? Can the promised joy and love be found now, or does it have to wait for the new world?

Click to expand...

Hello Brother,

As I was reading your post I could totally relate about your feelings about Heaven vs now. Recent years in my studies about the sovereignty of God and learn from my favorite teacher. I noticed his view of Christianity was different than mine. He had a determined will and belief that "right now counts forever".

For me I accomplished all I could have imagined in this life that I thought was impossible. I am personally looking forward to dying and my existence ending. I am OK with that. I came to Christ because I was a broken man who had no power to save myself. Yet his teaching made me question my feelings. I started to learn that I grew up in a secular generation and it has impact my thinking. Even now I struggle to deprogram or reformed my view of eternity.

Message video and audio version if you like to check it out. It was made months before he passed.

Right Now Counts Forever Video
Right Now Counts Forever Audio

About the Kingdom of Heaven or God, there is a future kingdom that will manifest after this world has been judged. That is the future inheritance all those who believe in Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit will receive. This is the eternal life is the hope of the Christian. (Revelations 21)

As for the current 'here and now', we live in the age where God has made a way for salvation. When you receive Christ, you no longer an enemy of God.(Romans 5:10) You are now an adopted son or daughter into the greater family of God.(John 1:12) As children, God is now our father and teacher. God the Father has set up his Son to be an example and to help us learn God's ways. As our Father, he loves us and disciplines us. We now have complete access to God, we can pray any place or at any time to our God. He will listen.

We also receive the seal and gift of the Holy Spirit. Who intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray. (Romans 8:26) Who empowers us to join in the work that God is doing among us. Not that God needs us, but he wants us to be a part of his work on this earth. (1 Corinthians 12)

Beside the salvation of my soul, to me the most important part of being a child of God. Before I had no one to go to, to help me with my problems, someone who understood my failures and weaknesses. My memories of time before salvation and after is like Night and Day. I was dead in so many ways, and after I was alive more ways than I could only begin to imagine.

It had nothing to do what with I could do, it all had to do with what God do to and with me.

Side note
Mind you we have it much easier these days. The first century church, accepting Christ meant you were marked for death. In our day we take so much for granted. I don't have to worry about being burned on the stake, but back in those days you very much did. Eternal life to come was comfort for those that face the threat of martyrdom.

Here is a great illustration from one of our church fathers Polycarp

the martyr of polycarp

I hope this made sense to you and it helps you with your walk.

It's not that there isn't love and joy promised now for the faithful, but these are a by-product of being faithful (led by God's Spirit, living in accordance with the dictates of God's Spirit, walking by a living faith, etc- all synonyms). If you make these your primary goal then you will get discouraged and give up because they are not what the end-goal of being a Christian is nor are they always something that can be felt here. Trial and discomfort are a necessary part of the Christian life. Faith must grow in moments where things look bad and feelings waver as we do things God's way. There is no way to get around that except to turn back from the Lord- but that would at best bring a very temporary, fleeting sense of relief from Christian trials anyways. It's insane to think that it would ever be worth doing so- no different than Esau selling his birthright for a mess of pottage (Hebrews 12).

It must be considered that the Lord's end-goal for us is not for this life. It is using the trials of this life to test us, to refine us, and to ultimately make us like Christ so that we can stand faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy like Jude 24 says. See also Titus 2:11-14 and Philippians 2:12-16. The Lord wants a pleasing bride for Christ like Ephesians 5 talks about. His people here are not married to Him yet, only betrothed. The Lord looks forward to having a people that have remained faithful during their betrothal period on earth and not been defiled by the filth of this world. We need to look forward to that and have our minds renewed so that is our passion also. If it is, we will labor towards that goal for ourselves and for others. And we will also be useful here and now in our earthly responsibilities (a necessary aspect of being a faithful Christian). When Christ returns He will rule and reign in righteousness. That will be a glory beyond comprehension to those who've already let Him rule their lives in the midst of an adulterous and corrupt world; and it will be a terror beyond comprehension to His enemies. It is important, even necessary, to make that day what we ultimately look forward to and prepare for. Believe the Lord's testimony that it is not something to take lightly nor consider a small thing. This will be a day of such magnitude that every other day will seem insignificant beyond what happened in those days that had relevance towards this day.

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4)

"10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." (2 Peter 3:10-14)