IN 2019, the Chinese word of the year in Malaysia was “Cheat”. What would the word of the lifetime be for some Christians? It may very well be “Difficult”! Listen to what some Christians say:

“Being a Christian is very difficult! It’s not easy at all!”

“A Christian doing business and not cheating people? It’s too difficult! We can’t help ourselves.”

“A Christian in politics, not lying to people? If you don’t lie, how would anyone vote for you? It’s not easy to be a Christian!”

Brothers and sisters, this is what we often hear from people. Is it really that difficult to be a Christian?

In fact, it’s not only Christian businessmen and politicians who say that being a Christian is difficult. Even pastors and church leaders often complain:

“It’s not easy to be a pastor. We’re busy all day long, so much work and pressure, endless troubles. It’s difficult to be a pastor!”

“It’s difficult to be a church leader. We have to cater to the pastor, to the church members. We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, it’s not easy!”

Unintentionally, pastors and church leaders often tell church members how this and that are difficult, how there are problems everywhere. When the leaders act in this way, of course church members also begin to talk about how difficult it is to be a Christian.

Both OT & NT say not difficult
Brothers and sisters, we say it is “difficult” because that is what we think, but we must ask: What does the Bible say? Does the Bible say that  to be a Christian is difficult? In fact, both the Old Testament and New Testament say: “Not difficult!”=

Listen to Moses from the Old Testament: “Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you…” (Deuteronomy 30:11)

And listen to John from the New Testament: “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3)

The Old Testament and New Testament both point out that the reason God’s commands are not difficult to keep is because of our hearts and mouths.

Moses explains that the key is to believe in God’s word with our hearts, and to confess God’s word with our mouths (Deuteronomy 30:14). The Apostle Paul uses Moses’ words to explain how we are saved: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

So you see, is it difficult to become aChristian? Not at all! As long as you  believe in your heart that Jesus is the Saviour who died for you and rose from the dead, and with your mouth you pray a prayer of repentance and belief, you will be saved. Dear friend, right now please believe in Jesus with your heart and confess him with your mouth, saying: “Lord Jesus, I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead, please save me!” Dear friend, now you are saved. It is too easy, because Jesus has already accomplished the most difficult thing for you, which is to die for you and rise from the dead.

Believe with heart and confess with mouth
So after becoming a Christian, to live a Christian life, is it difficult? Not at all! You only need to believe with your heart and confess with your mouth also. Listen to how the Apostle John explains: “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:4-5) To live a Christian life of overcoming the world uses the same method: the method of believing in Christ. If you believe in your heart, you will pray with your mouth. In prayer you express your faith, allowing you to live a Christian life that is not difficult.

The Lord Jesus calls on us heavily burdened people to find and enjoy rest in him, to learn from him and follow in his footsteps. It is not a difficult thing, why? He said, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30)

Actually not only the Bible tells us it is not difficult, but even a Chinese proverb says: “Nothing is difficult under heavens as long as you have the heart.” English proverb also says, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” The key is your heart.

So brothers and sisters, if you feel it is difficult in your heart, with your mouth you will keep saying it is difficult. But if you have faith in your heart, with your mouth you will pray ceaselessly and give thanks in all things.

From now on, change your word from “difficult” to “believe”. And you will live a happy and holy new year 2020 and beyond. Amen.

By Rev Dr Tie King Tai, SCAC President