No Fine Print

 

4/11/2025

Job 36:22 "God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?"

One of the two AMAZING pastors at our church has been going through the book of 1 Samuel. His messages have been interesting, informative, and challenging in the best possible way. This week, he told an anecdote about how he recently changed internet companies. In large lettering, there was a promise of one month free to join. He then shared that when he got the first bill it was not free. In the fine print it stated that the third month would be free. Then he related it to the Bible and said, and I'm paraphrasing here: God does not deal in fine print, all parts of His Word are absolutely clear. BAM! He could have dropped the mic and finished right there, but of course he went on to give another wonderful Holy Spirit led message. He said that sometimes when we share the gospel, we only share the love, forgiveness, and grace parts. The good stuff. We do not usually share the parts about trials or persecution. Those we keep as the fine print. 

This has been sitting with me all week (which I'm sure would make him pleased to know). I am examining how I speak to others about our God and His word. Do I wrap forgiveness and mercy up in a pretty bow? Do I lean towards a sort of victory preaching? Do I ever speak about Job's trials, Paul's imprisonment, or any Fathers of the Faith who were asked to do extraordinary things without seeing the end result or reward? Do I do the hard sell of "follow Jesus, and your life will be full of blessing? "

Do I share verses such as these?

James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Romans 5:3 "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance." 

 Peter 4:16 "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name."  

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

We, as believers, are not promised an easy road. The Bible teaches us there will be trials and suffering in our lives. It is through these times that we have an opportunity to grow in faith. 

This is truth. Salvation was bought with the highest price. Our sins are only forgiven because Jesus took them all on Himself through crucifixion. This truth, although it ends with the best imaginable outcome, was done through unimaginable suffering. 

Every Easter season, my sister encourages me to watch The Passion of the Christ. We have had the movie for years, but it is still in its wrapper. I have never been able to allow myself to watch it because I do not think I can take the brutality that is portrayed. It is unflinching, I have been told. If this is based in truth, why do I turn from it? It would be too hard for me; I tell her year after year. Am I, in my own walk, also looking for only the good stuff in my relationship with Jesus? Am I, like my sister, encouraging others to watch a portrayal of what our Savior endured? No, because it is hard, but we would have never had salvation without Jesus' sacrifice. I think this will be the year I finally break open the wrapper and watch, not because I have to, but because I should, even if it jars me.

God has given us His Word in its entirety for a reason. It is truth and I should share it as such, even the hard parts. No fine print.