Why do we get stuck in our faith?

I think many Christians are exhausted by their religious activity. We go to church… and try not to check our phones during the sermon. We do our Bible reading… and wonder, “What in the world does that mean?” We say our prayers… and think, “Is anyone listening?”

But don’t you want to experience new life with God? Get the spiritual power you need to break bad habits? To know that you are God’s beloved?

It seems like God promises us an abundant, transformed life with Jesus. So why are we stuck in our faith?

These struggles are not new — and James addresses them at the very start of his epistle.

In James 1:4 we read, “And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing” (CSB).

What does this mean? I read through multiple academic commentaries to ensure I could give you a solid answer.

Here’s the summary:

Spiritual growth happens when we persistently engage with God through difficult circumstances to become like Christ.

I think that gives us our answer, even if we don’t want to admit it.

I kept reading commentaries to see if there was an easier, lighter way to interpret this passage. But no matter how you look at it, the core message is the same: the Biblical perspective on suffering is to see it as an invitation to develop battle-tested, steadfast endurance as we faithfully follow Jesus.

It’s easy to say we admire Jesus and want to imitate his example. But when we get down to the practicalities? It’s much more challenging.

The main problem with this verse isn’t understanding it on an intellectual level. The main challenge is volitional: do we want this to be true? Do we want to adjust our lives to meet its challenge?

James is telling us what we need to hear, even if we don’t want to hear it. It’s the same kind of reasoning for why we might not be in excellent physical, financial, or relational shape.

In other words, it’s easy to want to be successful in life.

The challenge? These goals all require incredible discipline, hard work, and sacrifice. Who can avoid junk food? Not squander their money? Be a steadfast, loving friend for years, even decades?

(Of course, the Bible clearly speaks about circumstances outside of our control: injustice, accidents, injuries, disabilities, and so on).

But perhaps you are in the top 1%: Olympian physical health, overflowing bank accounts, and outstanding friends.

Even so, it’s rare to find someone whose life shows a wholehearted resolution to follow Jesus.

Over and over again, when people expressed verbal interest in following Jesus, he explained the cost to them. The response? They came up with excuses and went their own way (see Luke 9:57-62).

Consider what James is asking. When you face a difficult trial in life, see it as an opportunity to persevere in your faithfulness to Jesus. We are intended to have such an intense desire to imitate our Lord that we consider anything that helps us toward that end — even suffering — as an opportunity to become mature and complete, lacking nothing in our spiritual wholeness.

I want to ask: have you settled that question in your heart? Have you counted the cost of discipleship — and decided you’re all in? One passage that I’ve been reflecting on with Uncommon Pursuit’s Community Partners is Luke 14:25-34. It’s worth reflecting on as you evaluate what kind of person you want to become.

Let’s consider one more reason…

I’ve tried to candidly state the cost of discipleship. But does that feel jarring? Wrong? Unkind? Out of tune?

Is it really good news to invite you to understand your entire life in terms of receiving God’s grace to become like Christ? Isn’t that overly zealous? Legalistic? Judgmental? Harsh?

I feel this tension. I know my own shortcomings, temptations, and halfheartedness.

But it’s also because of how often I’ve been persuaded — by well-meaning Christian leaders — that God just wants me to take it easy.

For instance, in some circles, there’s a relentless focus on the good news: “Jesus died on the cross for your sins! Embrace him by faith, be saved, and go to heaven!” No matter what the issue is, the answer is always “the gospel.”

I love the gospel as much as anyone, but here’s what concerns me: when “the gospel” is taught in a way that discourages Christians from striving to become like Jesus.

To be direct: It’s essentially the prosperity gospel by another name. Instead of promising us that God will make us rich, these teachers promise us that God will make our lives convenient. Take it easy. God’s got you. You’re good.

Consequently, we don’t invest in our spiritual growth. And then we wonder why we’re not growing in our faith!

The real challenge of spiritual growth isn’t just understanding what we need to do - it’s having the courage to fully commit to it.

But take heart: God isn’t asking us to earn his love through religious performance. He isn’t asking us to eat stones. Rather, he’s inviting us into the abundant, freeing, joyful —and yes, transformative —journey of becoming like Christ!

As Dallas Willard put it,

Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil.

In short, it costs exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10). The cross-shaped yoke of Christ is after all an instrument of liberation and power to those who live in it with him and learn the meekness and lowliness of heart that brings rest to the soul (The Spirit of the Disciplines, 263).

The cost of following Jesus is high. But compared to the alternatives, it’s the best deal available.

I’d love to hear from you:
Have you counted the cost of following Jesus?
What’s holding you back from full commitment?

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