In Matt. 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” But Heb. 12:6 says, “Whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” So, is Christian life easy or difficult?
– Thomas, India
DR. GEORGY’S RESPONSE:
Christian life is easy due to the fact that Jesus brings “rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). At the same time, since the ethics of the Kingdom of God is contrary to that of the world, the disciplining hand of God will be upon His children. When we are saved through Jesus, it brings us “peace with God” (Rom. 5:1). It also brings conflict with the world’s system (1 John 2:15-17; Gal. 5:17). For example, even though Paul the apostle had a thorn in the flesh, he also experienced God’s grace in his life (2 Cor. 12:7-10). So, these two set of verses point to different aspects of the Christian life.
