The Easiest Life There Is

Mom used to say, “The Christian life isn’t easy, but it’s still the easiest life there is.” Others seemed to think the Christian life was the most difficult, citing temptations, duties, persecution, etc. Mom wasn’t denying those things. I think she just realized the power and implications of Jesus’ words, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. . . . For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). John Phillips’s commentary on that passage says: “Heavy is the load of sin. Laborious and burdensome are man’s religious systems. . . . Jesus swept those burdens all away.” Yes, resisting temptation is tough, but not as hard as dealing with years of ripple-effect damage. And yes, the world religions, including perversions of Christianity, leave a person trying but never knowing where he stands (not to mention out of touch with God). How heavy. How difficult. How sad. So I’m with Mom. True Christianity, the Lord’s way per the Scriptures, is both right and the easiest life there is.