Earthly Fears and Heavenly Cheers
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
“Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that and expect to suffer. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it.” – C.H. Spurgeon
In 35 years of prison ministry, I often repeated the following phrase to the inmates who attended our ballgames and gospel presentations…
“I cannot offer you a pardon signed by the governor, because there are earthly consequences for earthly sins. However, on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ, I can offer you a full pardon – signed in His own blood – that wipes your ‘sin slate’ clean and guarantees you entrance into heaven.”
Of the estimated 500,000 prisoners I had the privilege of ministering to, roughly 30,000 of them accepted that pardon by trusting Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. I look forward to seeing those forgiven souls in Glory, but my heart breaks over the ones who refused God’s free gift of salvation.
Even the pardoned prisoners, however, still must endure earthly sufferings such as imprisonment, separation from their loved ones, loss of privacy, cramped – and often dangerous – living conditions, and prison food. It is their “cross to bear,” but fortunately, they don’t have to bear it alone.
Jesus Christ is that friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). He also promises that our burdens will be light in comparison to the one He carried to Calvary (Matthew 11:28-30). The Apostle Paul also admonishes believers to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Ephesians 6:2).
The bottom line is this: no one escapes hardships in this fallen world. However, knowing that Jesus is with us every step of the way – and that fellow Christians “have our back” – makes things much easier. As if that weren’t enough, we are also surrounded by a “cloud of witnesses” who are cheering us on every step of the way (Hebrews 12:1). Call them our heavenly fan club, if you will… and the closer we get to “home,” the louder they become.
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
