Do you understand that many of the youngsters in your church know the reply to only about each counseling problem you’ll face? You have to belief Jesus.
- Are you in a tough marriage? You simply must belief Jesus.
- Are you fighting anxiousness? You simply must belief Jesus.
- Are you battling lust? You simply must belief Jesus.
- Are you fearful over the long run? You simply must belief Jesus.
But when the answer is that easy and apparent, what makes it so tough? Why can we wrestle to “simply belief Jesus”?
Although there are a lot of causes, one we should always contemplate is that usually the issue isn’t that religion is lacking, however misplaced. Folks normally don’t understand how a lot they’ve positioned such a resolute hope within the issues of this world that it’s unimaginable for them to search out their hope in Christ. Virtually talking, we not solely must encourage individuals to belief Jesus, however we should additionally assist them assume by way of and switch from their misplaced hopes.
Loss and Achieve
Think about Paul’s phrases in Philippians 3:7-8. He writes, “However no matter achieve I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Certainly, I rely all the things as loss due to the surpassing value of figuring out Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I’ve suffered the lack of all issues and rely them as garbage, so that I’ll achieve Christ…”
Philippians is a good looking but considerably bewildering letter as a result of Paul writes with an unbelievable pleasure even whereas imprisoned. In reality, his pleasure solely is smart in mild of his perception that no matter he misplaced was far surpassed by what he gained in figuring out Christ by way of religion.
Paul writes:
- “However no matter achieve I had… I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:7).
- “I rely all the things as loss due to the surpassing value of figuring out Christ…” (Phil. 3:8).
- “I’ve suffered the lack of all issues…so that I’ll achieve Christ” (Phil. 3:8).
Paul finds nice pleasure in residing life by religion in Christ. As he faces struggling and persecution, experiences the lack of so many earthly treasures, tries to make sense of the chaos of his world, and whilst he faces loss of life itself, he does so by religion in Christ. He navigates his world by retaining Jesus as the nice actuality that governs all different realities. He lives each second figuring out his Savior is with him and for him, and it overwhelms him with pleasure.
However discover how he will get there. Earlier than Paul talks about his confidence and religion in Jesus, he talks concerning the hazard of confidence and religion within the mistaken issues: “…If anybody else thinks he has cause for confidence within the flesh, I’ve extra: circumcised on the eighth day, of the individuals of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the regulation, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness below the regulation, innocent” (Phil. 3:4b-6).
Paul had all the things going for him, so he trusted in himself and the issues of the world. The phrase “confidence” has to do along with his religion—what he believed would save him. The issue was that his religion was misplaced, so he didn’t place his belief the place it ought to have been—in Christ. It wasn’t till he “misplaced” these issues that he was capable of belief in Jesus. He needed to rely all the things as “garbage” so that he would “achieve Christ.” He couldn’t concurrently belief in himself and Jesus. Till he stopped trusting in himself, he wouldn’t flip to Christ.
Counseling Implications
It isn’t sufficient for us to encourage individuals to “simply belief Jesus.” We should disclose to them their misplaced belief. For instance, if somebody is pressured over their funds as a result of they could lose their job, we not solely must encourage them to belief in Jesus but in addition present them the foolishness and hopelessness of trusting in cash. We should reveal that the love of cash is a harmful factor (1 Tim. 6:9-10) and that as a substitute we should always hope within the Lord (1 Tim. 6:17-19).
Perceive what Paul is saying—loss was needed for religion:
- Till he sacrificed the mistaken issues he had religion in, he would by no means place his religion in Christ and expertise His grace.
- Till he gave up the world, he would by no means belief in Christ, who’s of “surpassing value…”
- Till he stopped searching for pleasure in what he had, he would by no means know the enjoyment of life with Jesus.
Because of this as devoted counselors, we should assist others see how all the things on this world is “garbage” in comparison with Christ and the absurdity of trusting in garbage as our supply of assist and hope.
Questions for Reflection
- Think about somebody you might be counseling. Have you ever taken time to assist them assume by way of their false hopes?
- How will you present the foolishness of religion within the issues of this world?
- What would “loss” appear to be for them, in order that they’d belief Christ?
