By: Kevin Townsend
Women especially love babies. My daughter-in-law is about to be delivered of her third child and she/we all are excited about it. Everyone wants the result, but the painful delivery process to get that result is much less thought or spoken about. Although modern medicine has made childbirth much safer, in times past women often died to get the child they desired (e.g., Rachel, Gen 35:16-19). In this life we often focus on the desired result, looking past the trials and troubles that precede the desired result.
When I recruited for the US Air Force Reserve (USAFR) I was trained to sell (i.e., teach, educate) the “benefits” of joining the organization (i.e., the positive things that were offered). But in life, often there are corresponding negative things that come along with positive things. In serving your country this could be difficult duty, family separation, and even giving your life for your country. I often had to address these issues truthfully and directly with applicants. Similarly in the birth process there can be negative things (i.e., pain during delivery or even a woman giving their life) to obtain the positive result they desire, a child.
Childbirth and military service both have a connection to our service to God. Like a physical birth, becoming a Christian involves a spiritual birth: John 3:3 KJV (3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. – 1Pet 1:23 KJV (23) Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. Just like our armed forces exist for the purpose of fighting physical warfare, Christians must be similarly ready to fight spiritual warfare: 1Tim 6:12 KJV (12) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. As you can see, there are many parallels between our physical and spiritual life.
Jesus, by implication, has COMMANDED us to be teachers/preachers (i.e., “recruiters”) of the gospel: Mark 16:15 KJV (15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. When we teach the Gospel to those outside of Christ, we often show the positive beauties of the body of Christ. We show the promises that are obtained ONLY therein: Eph 3:6 KJV (6) That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. We speak of the rest that awaits us after our death in the Hadean realm and later in heaven: Rev 14:13 KJV (13) And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. We show the blessings that God has prepared for His saints in heaven: 2Tim 4:8 KJV (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. – Ps 116:15 KJV (15) Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. – Rom 14:8-9 KJV (8) For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. (9) For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. This is the “benefit” of being a Christian, a servant of Jesus Christ. This is the “desired result” that all who obey the Gospel want.
But as there are positive benefits to the Christian life, there are also difficulties, trials, troubles, and negatives as well. The Christian life is the BEST life, but it is not always the easiest life. We must make sure that we equip new converts for the battle ahead, for some are especially at risk for Satan to snatch them away: Luke 8:11-14 KJV (11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (12) Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (13) They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (14) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection…
We live in this world but we are not of this world. This world stands against us. For example, as far as we can tell from history, out of all of the Apostles only the Apostle John died a natural death. All the others died violent deaths for the cause of Jesus Christ. Jesus warned us: Luke 12:51-53 KJV (51) Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (52) For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. (53) The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother-in-law.
This life is not a sprint but an endurance race. Scripture is clear: Jas 1:12 KJV (12) Blessed is the man that ENDURETH temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. If you want to get the desired result, this is what you must do: Rev 2:10 KJV (10) Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: BE THOU FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, and I will give thee a crown of life.