Category: Book 2 Chapter 2

It is also possible that you have picked up the mistaken impression that because it can be difficult to be a disciple at times then it follows that Jesus must be a harsh taskmaster who is never satisfied with us. That is absolutely not the …

I hope that what I have said in this chapter is balanced. I have attempted to emphasise the joys and benefits that come from being Jesus’ disciple, both in this life, and also in eternity. However I have also gone to great lengths to try …

If you want to be successful as a disciple and to grow as quickly and as far as possible, then you will need to come to terms with the fact that God carries out these ongoing quality control tests. Stop being surprised, perplexed or annoyed …

Another reason why God puts all of us through difficult experiences, whether we ask for them or not, is because He wants us to develop strength, stamina and hardiness. He wants us to be able to withstand a series of difficult experiences, over a sustained …

Obviously, most of us have no desire to suffer or to be put under pressure. Indeed, it would be perverse for us to actually want to suffer, or to gain any pleasure from it. We should not want it in that sense. Nevertheless, it is valid to …

Not all of the difficult or unpleasant circumstances that we experience are due to God’s chastening or punishment. Some of it has other causes and purposes. One of those is that God allows us to face adversity, struggle, opposition and difficulty as a way of changing us. …

Apostle John also addresses this theme in his first letter. He is discussing the different levels and types of sins that a believer might commit and how other believers ought to respond to that believer’s sins. Because this is such an important and difficult issue, let us …

The letter to the Hebrews seems to make it clear that it is possible for a Christian, even a real one, to fall so far, and to become so apostate, that there is no way back for them. It would appear that such a person …

If you are still unpersuaded that God can, and does, discipline us severely, and that He sometimes even takes away the life of a real Christian, then consider some further passages. Here apostle Paul speaks of “deliver(ing) a man over to Satan for the destruction of …

In case anybody says that this only happened in the Old Testament, let us look at the book of Acts where we see the same thing happening to Ananias and Sapphira. They sold some land and gave some of the proceeds away to the apostles. …