How difficult is it to be a Christian?

This is one of the questions that many Christians and non-Christians ask themselves nowadays. The truth is, I have heard many people say: "How difficult it is to be a Christian." And one of those days, I asked the Lord: Why do many find it difficult to be Christians if You in Your word say that Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light?

The Lord spoke to me and imparted to my spirit some very powerful points that I want to share with you quickly.

1. The burden of Religion.
   

• I have realized something: that religion, instead of bringing you closer to God, distances you. Jesus paid a price for our freedom; He wants us to be free. The truth is that I see many frustrated people with no desire to go to church because of the many religious burdens being imposed on them: that dyeing your hair is wrong, that wearing makeup is wrong, that you can't wear sneakers to preach, that you need a cloth on your head, otherwise you are in sin, that pants are of the devil, that reggaeton is of the devil, and things like these and even worse things. The truth is that all these things only place a burden on Christians; it's as if we no longer live under grace, but under the law. The only one who wants to keep you enslaved is the devil. As for me, I am a slave of Christ and live a free life in God. I don't worry about those things because none of that saves nor will it make me lose my salvation. The Bible is very clear about the things that lead you to lose salvation. Can you imagine that the Bible doesn't tell you something that could make you lose your salvation? Would God be just if He did that? Of course not. In the word of God, it is more than clear the things that can lead you to hell. But I am seeing a generation of religious people who send you to hell for everything. The truth is that religion is of the devil, that's why Jesus confronted it and told the religious of His time: "You are of your father the devil," "whitewashed tombs." Strong things the Lord told them. Jesus confronted religion and I will also do so, since His Spirit dwells in me.

2. The burden imposed by the Pastors

Like religion, religious pastors also place so many burdens on the people that not even they themselves can carry, things that end the simplicity of having a relationship with Jesus. Having a relationship with Jesus is so simple, why do we want to complicate everything? A few days ago, a sister was telling me about her testimony and she was saying that her husband told her that she could not speak to God so freely. She thought that calling God "Daddy" was wrong because that is what the religious pastors taught her. However, we see that in the Bible, the word "Abba" means exactly that: it can be translated as "Daddy." The Holy Spirit cries out from within us "Daddy." This is a living example of how religion distances you from God instead of bringing you closer. Speak to your Father who is in heaven with total freedom and transparency. He is God, but also your Father, and to a Father, you speak with affection and confidence. That's why the Bible says in Hebrews 4:16: "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Draw near to God with all your heart and you will see what God will do with you.

Many pastors are placing many burdens: that you cannot speak in tongues inside the church, that prophets and apostles no longer exist, that you have to pray three times a day, otherwise God doesn't listen to you, that if you don't pray one hour a day you are not spiritual. And things like these. It is important to pray and spend time with God, but we have to understand that what makes you spiritual is not that you pray three times a day. And what about those who cannot pray that much because they have work, a family, and many things, but love God madly? What do we do with them? Do we send them to hell? Do we call them sinners? Do we say they are not spiritual?

There are many people who think they will enter heaven by works, that is, by the things they do. Do you know that prayer doesn't save you? Haha, it seems crazy, but no, it doesn't save you. Jesus is the one who saves you, not prayer. Do you know that water baptism doesn't save you? Although Jesus said to be baptized, that doesn't save you. None of that saves you. If someone who is dying receives Jesus in their heart with their last breath, do you think they didn't get saved because they didn't pray for an hour or because they didn't get baptized? Jesus saves that person because it is by grace so that no one can boast that by their merits they entered heaven. Do you know that this is what happened with the thief who was being crucified next to Jesus? However, the Lord said to him: "Today you will be with me in paradise." This means that Jesus saved him. Some people say that he received the Holy Spirit when he believed in Jesus. I believe that Jesus saved him by pure grace. What do you think will save you? Your knowledge? Your works? Your service to God? Well, none of that saves you. Modern pastors, most of them, impose too many burdens on the people and people see living for Christ as too difficult. Because of many pastors, the same sheep are straying. It is simple to believe in Jesus. Do not try to please Him with your strength, follow Him, love Him, respect Him, obey Him, and be free.

3. Don't try with your strength

One of the great problems why believers find it difficult to follow Jesus is for the simple reason that they are trying to be holy with their own strength. They are trying to leave vices and addictions with their own strength, they are praying with their own strength, and everything they do they try to do with their own strength. For this reason, it is difficult for them to be Christians because no one can be holy with their own strength. That is why the Bible says it is not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit. We cannot pray, read the Bible, get out of sin, get out of addictions without the Holy Spirit. It is He who sanctifies you, who strengthens you, who helps you to pray. In short, without the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing. What do I mean by this? Well, ask the Holy Spirit for help, and do not try on your own, just surrender, surrender those addictions and you will see how the Holy Spirit will help you. Speak sincerely with God and say: "I cannot get out of this, if you do not help me I do not know how to be free." You will see the results of these kinds of prayers that are made with a sincere heart. The Holy Spirit is your Helper, trust in God and He will act.

Conclusions

Living a free life in Jesus is not a green card to go on sinning and doing everything that is wrong since His grace is sufficient to save us. It is not about that, it is not licentiousness. The Lord will help you, but you and I have to make a little effort. How so? Easy, you and I set the determination and the Lord provides the strength. To conclude, I want you to know this: everything is lawful for me, but not everything is beneficial. Think about this, God speaks to us and convicts through the conscience. If you are going to do something and your heart and your conscience do not condemn you, then have the freedom to do it. If the conscience convicts and reproves you in something you want to do and in the end, you do it, then you have sinned. The conscience convicts all human beings, only there are people who decide to ignore what the conscience tells them.