We come to Christ for various reasons, whether in search of a miracle, a breakthrough, a good partner, money, or whatever else we truly desire.
The Reality of Growing in Faith
However, as we draw closer to Him and get to know His ways, some indeed receive their miracles, see their prayers answered, and watch their lives take an upward turn. Yet there are others who do not realise their dreams or witness the miracles they have been eagerly chasing. Sometimes they lose faith or even consider walking away from the Christian faith completely.
When the Initial Joy Fades
Sometimes when we start out in faith, our lives seem to be going just fine. Having been reformed and born again, everything feels merry and cosy. But as we mature in Christ, the smile in our hearts begins to fade. Prayers seem to take longer to be answered. Those living secular lives appear to be bypassing us, and even those who were saved more recently seem to be moving ahead. Life feels stagnant, if not deteriorating.
Doubt, Testing, and the Danger of Compromise
This is when we start doubting ourselves, everyone around us, and even our faith in God. We may begin to wonder whether He still cares or is concerned about our problems. In these desperate times, many are tested, and those who are not strong may fall away from the faith or compromise their convictions and beliefs.
From someone who used to spend at least an hour with God daily to a person who only remembers God on Sundays. From someone who never mixed with certain company to one becoming addicted to fornication. The list goes on.
Even worse are those who end up as lukewarm Christians, trying to retain their faith while falling back into the very secular vices from which Jesus saved them—all under the guise of salvation by grace and forgiveness through Christ.
Christ’s Warning: The Narrow Gate
Remember what Christ said in one of His teachings:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Christ warned us because He knew these harsh times would come. As mature Christians, we are not to run away or compromise when faced with such situations. Instead, we must recall the truth of His teachings. For what good is faith if it has not been truly tested?
How can we know we really have faith if life has not tested us in that area? These harsh situations exist to test and reveal how much faith is truly inside us, since we claim to be Christians. God never said following Him would come without a price. In fact, He made it very clear:
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
True Discipleship Goes Beyond Miracles
Being a disciple of Christ is far beyond miracles, signs, and wonders. It is much deeper than that if one is to mature in faith. It moves beyond seeking external things to becoming a culture and lifestyle—one in which we do not follow Christ to get something in return, but follow Him as a way of life. Because that is the actual way to truly live.
That is why Jesus said the gate is wide that leads to destruction, but narrow is the way that leads to life.
The Harsh Truth and the Cross We Must Carry
The harsh truth many Christians struggle to accept is that to truly follow Christ, you will lose much more than you can imagine as you mature. This happens because of the transformation that takes place within you. This is the cross to carry: turning away from your old secular habits of corruption, fornication, lustful thinking, pride, greed, and so forth, and following Christ in truth and righteousness.
In truly following Christ, there is a price to pay—and that price may be your whole life. By this, I mean death to self (the flesh) and being born again through Christ in the spirit. This is easier said than done. However, it is the actual cost. It is not about walking in miracles and mere songs of rejoicing and dancing.
Entering the narrow gate has a price tag: carrying your cross to your very last breath. Only then will you be considered a victor—not while compromising, but in full commitment and faith.
