Fantasy Land

1 Corinthians 4:11-14 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; (12) And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: (13) Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. (14) I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. (KJV)  

Remember the TV program Fantasy Island, where they fly into the island with a problem and leave with the solution? They make it look so easy; and how they look up to the people that provide the solutions and put them on pedestals. Well today we still have re-runs of that program which are displayed by many false teachers of the gospel of Christ, who make ministry work look so glamorous and exciting; how well thought of they are in the community, and looked up to as leaders and pillars. With their three piece suits and two bit doctrines they try to compare themselves with those that God has used before, but as one can see from the above verses, the gap between reality and fantasy is huge. If you think you want to be like Paul, Peter or some of the other people God has used then you need to look at what I will call the fine print; because for many ear tickling preachers it seems they have left this part out, or do their best to hide the true fact that the closer one gets to the Lord the more they truly will endure suffering on His behalf. It would be nice if all one had to do is write of the blessings of God and all the wonderful things that accompany them, but I would be negligent in presenting the truth about the things that don’t tickle the ear, but warn the heart of the reality, for those that chose to be led of the Spirit.  

Philippians 1:27-30 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (28) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. (29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (30) Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. (KJV)  

The more one is led of the Spirit the more it contradicts those that are led of the flesh, and to them the doctrine of Christ seems foolish and a waste of time. The warning Paul was giving to the people was not only to believe in Christ but also that there would be suffering for His sake to those that speak on His behalf. Although Paul was used of God to write a good portion of the epistles, if you read through His accounts you will see there was plenty of conflict and opposition along the way. So don’t be discouraged if you encounter these things also, because it doesn’t mean you did something wrong but rather just the opposite. I see a lot of these do gooders who claim to be of God, who write and sell their books, who preach a life of prosperity living the American dream in the name of God, yet they are selling their souls for a buck (money). Many would like to only tell the people what they want to hear instead of what they need; the truth that will set them free indeed. So before you choose to enter the ministry based on these false illusions, the reality is that the only reason many false teachers sell this stuff is because they are not a threat to the enemy but rather an asset to him; settling for the rewards of this realm and not for an eternal reward of inheritance. Christian brothers and sisters, know there will be opposition, but also take comfort in the fact that it is because you are doing what is right in the sight of the Lord; which is why it will rub man the wrong way and cause the conflict.  

1 Peter 4:15-19 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. (16) Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (17) For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (19) Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (KJV)  

We have many false prophets out and about that the Lord warned us of that bring false doctrines and rob the people of the truth. They portray a people pleasing life of a minister as being someone that is looked up to and revered by many, which in reality is nothing more than seeking the honor of man rather than that of God. If you suffer as a Christian don’t be ashamed, even if it is by other so called Christians that would rather water down the truth and not deal with the reality of those that truly choose to follow the leading of the Spirit. Again don’t think it so strange concerning the fiery trials that come your way, because the more you choose to live the truth and speak it, the more those darts will be hurled your way. And don’t be surprised if you end up taking some friendly fire from those that claim to be of God, false brethren that smile to your face and stab you in the back.  

2 Timothy 3:10-15 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (KJV)  

The reason the righteous are scarcely saved is because evil men and seducers are getting worse and worse with their deceptions and lies, and many Christians do not take the time in the word of God for themselves to know the difference, but rather get caught up in them. The reason Paul suffered so much is because of the doctrine of Christ that he taught and preached as well as lived, which is why there was so much opposition. That is why we are to continue in the faith grounded and settled and not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which is Christ in you, His leading and guiding of the Spirit. We see the encouragement in verse 14, to continue in these things despite the sufferings and persecutions because you know the truth and that is why you are suffering, not because you did something wrong.  

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (KJV)  

Still interested in ministry work? Then time for a reality check. If you think you are going to be revered and highly thought of in the community, think again. If you wish to be highly thought of and a pillar in God’s community then proceed forward. Those that portray a one sided version of the ministry are living in a fantasy world on an island located somewhere in the dead sea, and will find their program cancelled.  

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.