Why Christianity Is Not Comfortable

Text: 1 Peter 4:12-19

In the name of Jesus. Amen. 

The famous Irish Christian, C.S. Lewis, once said:

"I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity."

Now, what did Lewis mean by this?

Well, he meant exactly what he said: 

Christianity is not comfortable. 

But wait a moment! Are we not told by coffee mug slogans, social media memes, Hallmark cards, and popular television preachers that becoming a Christian gives you peace and joy? You know exactly what I am talking about. We have heard it time and again. As a Christian:

"Every morning God sends you a fresh supply of joy so that you can live the abundant life that God has for you." (Osteen)

And so, is this wrong? Are people misguided when they say that walking with God will result in joy and an abundant life?

Let’s flesh this out a bit; bear with me. 

Let’s speak this quote to the martyrs of the New Testament and see how this quote and theology hold up.

Take the Apostle Matthew. Church history tells us that Matthew went to Parthia and Ethiopia to proclaim the Gospel, only to be slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah. Let us speak this quote to slain Matthew: 

"Matthew, every morning God sends you a fresh supply of joy so that you can live the abundant life that God has for you!"

What about Mark and Luke? Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria. Luke was hanged by idolatrous priests in Greece:  

"Mark and Luke, every morning God sends you a fresh supply of joy so that you can live the abundant life that God has for you!"

The Apostles Paul and Peter? Paul gave his neck to the sword under Emperor Nero. Peter was crucified upside-down with his feet in the air. 

"Paul and Peter, every morning God sends you a fresh supply of joy so that you can live the abundant life that God has for you!"

And what about Jesus — yes, Jesus Himself? When He was only several months old, King Herod attempted to murder Him. And then, thirty-some years later, He was flogged, beaten, spat upon, nailed to a wooden cross, and stabbed in the side. 

"Jesus, every morning God sends you a fresh supply of joy so that you can live the abundant life that God has for you!"

Now, am I being a bit harsh? Yes, I am. But there is a reason. You see, the kind of Christianity that gets promoted on coffee mugs, memes, self-help books, and feel-good sermons is not the Christianity of the Bible. It is not the faith once delivered to the saints. It is a domesticated version of Christianity that sidesteps the cross and skips over suffering. It is a fantasy.

Dear friends, we are tragically misguided when we reduce the Christian life to a journey of achieving our dreams and feeling happy. We are in error when we think Christianity is primarily about emotional comfort. We are misguided when we tell someone to become a Christian because, in so doing, their life will become easy and smooth. We deceive people when we forget to tell them that one of the hallmark characteristics of Christianity is suffering. Yes, you heard that right — suffering.

Consider our epistle reading from 1 Peter. The Apostle Peter speaks about this clearly: 

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings."

There it is. Plain and simple. The Christian is not to be shocked when suffering, trials, and persecutions come their way. You are not to be alarmed when difficulties strike, as if this were out of the ordinary. No, dear Baptized Saints, suffering is normal. It is part of what it means to follow Jesus.

In fact, Peter tells us to rejoice in our sufferings because this suffering is a spiritual refining process. Suffering has a way of stripping away our self-sufficiency and pride. It drives us back to Jesus and His Word.

You see, we often hear people say, 

"I want to be like Jesus. I want to walk in His footsteps." 

This is commendable! However, are they ready for what that entails? Remember, to be like Jesus is not only to be kind, forgiving, and compassionate, but also to take up the cross of suffering.

Let’s be honest: Jesus was hated by the world. He was misunderstood, slandered, betrayed, beaten, and killed. And so, if we are united with Christ, why would we expect anything different? 

The Apostles suffered. The early Christians suffered. The Church throughout history was persecuted. And yet, we have convinced ourselves that if we just follow a scripted Christian life, everything will be easy and comfortable. This is foolishness.

Now, perhaps you are thinking to yourself: 

"I don't like this kind of Christianity. I would rather have the other version — the one with smiles, peace, and joy printed on coffee mugs."

Dear friends, please stop and hear me clearly: Christianity does offer peace and joy — but not as the world defines it. The peace and joy of Scripture are not emotional highs or tranquil feelings. They are deeper, richer, and more enduring. You see, in Christ, you have peace — real peace with God the Father. In Christ, your sins are forgiven. The wrath of God is turned away; you are reconciled. This is not a feeling that comes and goes. It is objective peace, anchored in the blood of Jesus.

And you have joy — not superficial giddiness, but the deep joy of belonging to Christ, even in suffering. Peter says in our epistle that we can rejoice in suffering because it unites us with Jesus, reminds us that this life is short, and points us forward to the glory that will be revealed at the last day.

We must clarify something, though. The suffering that Peter speaks about is not the suffering that comes from our own sin and stupidity. So often, we endure hardship and cry out, "Why is God doing this to me?" — when in fact, it is the consequence of our own sinful choices. That is not the suffering Peter is talking about.

No, Peter speaks of suffering that happens because of the name of Christ. When Peter talks about suffering, it is the kind of suffering that comes from a raging world that persecutes you for resting, proclaiming, and abiding in the Gospel.  

Please listen up! Every generation has seen Christians slandered and hated because of the Gospel. The Word of God divides. It comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. When the Word of God is proclaimed, people will divide into two camps: some will receive it in faith, and others will be offended by it.

And here is the sad reality: those who are offended by the Word of God will often take it out on those who believe it. They will insult. They will exclude. They will persecute. And so, the Church is never at peace in this world. The Church is always under pressure, always under attack, always pressed down but not destroyed. And the same is true for you, as a Christian. There will always be friction. There will always be a cross. And yet, you are not alone.

Hear this: if you are insulted for the name of Christ, do not be surprised. Do not give it a second thought. Be proud to be insulted like Jesus. Rejoice that you are counted worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name. When you are mocked at school, overlooked at work, whispered about at family gatherings, or labeled narrow-minded by the culture because of Christ and His Gospel — do not be alarmed.

Expect it. Learn to expect it. 

Know that this world wants to crush the Church and silence Christians. But also know this: the Lord will preserve you, just as He preserved Matthew, Mark, Luke, Paul, Peter, and every Christian before you. He will uphold you, strengthen you, and sanctify you. He will not abandon you. He will not forsake you.

And know this: whatever suffering you endure, it will not be wasted. The Lord will use it for your good or the good of others. He will use it to dislodge your comfort from the world and fix your eyes beyond this vale of tears. 

So, take heart, dear Baptized Saints. Lift your eyes to the cross. See the One who suffered for you, who bled for you, who bore your sin and shame. In Him, you are secure.

The world may rage, but Christ is your peace. The culture may shift, but Christ is your rock. The suffering may come, but Christ is your joy.

Remain steadfast. Cling to the Word. Receive the Sacraments. Find refuge in the ark of His Holy Christian Church. And trust this: you will endure. Not because you are strong, but because Christ is faithful.

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

He will be with you in the fiery trials. 

And on the Last Day, He will lift you from the grave into eternal glory.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.