“Uncomfortable Christianity For Lent!”

“Uncomfortable Christianity For Lent!”(II Cor.11:21b-29).
Comfortable Christianity seems to be the commonly preferred perspective of modern-day Christianity. Maybe to call it modern-day is an overstatement. The rise of monasticism in the 3rd or 4th century was partially an intentional refusal of comfortable Christianity.
In comfortable Christianity, God’s blessing is mostly limited to wealth, riches, protection, security, good health, and even opulence.
The charismatic movement that is often naively considered to be a revival of Christ-like godliness is unfortunately steeped in prosperity propagation, such that Bible conferences easily transform into business and entrepreneurial forums and conferences.
On the threshold of Lent season 2025, we are prescribed a text that introduces us to the true practice of Lent and Christian life as a whole.
In today’s text, Paul gives back to his rivals who think that they are more Jewish Christians than him.
Paul says he has a right to boast like the others. But the picture he paints of what he has to boast about is in the sufferings, humiliations, perils, and tortures he has been through for the sake of the gospel.
To emulate Paul is to deliberately ignore the trappings of comfortable Christianity. Comfortable Christianity is like “The child who is strapped on the mother’s back who does not know the distance of the journey.” Or “the child who is carried on the mother’s back and should not complain that he stepped on excrement.”
Our pilgrimage life should not be centred around the comfort we gain, but more on the pain of others that become our pain.
As Paul puts it, “…I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?”
This should be the spirit with which we should journey through the Lent season.
Prayer of the day: Holy Spirit, prompt us daily not to be inclined towards comfortable Christianity. Lord Jesus Christ, intercede for Ngetikoh Mercy, who has been comatose for months. LORD, through our collective prayers, may your will be done for her. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
04/03/2025.