When Walking Away Feels Good

Imagine Imagine [music] [music] a man who invests years of his life a man who invests years of his life trying to be a good, decent, godly man. trying to be a good, decent, godly man. trying to be a good, decent, godly man. It's not easy to balance at all. He goes It's not easy to balance at all. He goes It's not easy to balance at all. He goes to church every week. He cares for and to church every week. He cares for and to church every week. He cares for and supports his wife. He works hard. He's a supports his wife. He works hard. He's a supports his wife. He works hard. He's a reputable man. But his life keeps reputable man. But his life keeps reputable man. But his life keeps falling apart. Things keep breaking to falling apart. Things keep breaking to falling apart. Things keep breaking to the point that one day he shrugs and the point that one day he shrugs and the point that one day he shrugs and decides to stop trying so hard because decides to stop trying so hard because decides to stop trying so hard because of how hard it is to maintain all of it. of how hard it is to maintain all of it. of how hard it is to maintain all of it. And what he finds is a life that in many And what he finds is a life that in many And what he finds is a life that in many ways just got easier. Raising a question ways just got easier. Raising a question ways just got easier. Raising a question that's even hard to ask, but I will. that's even hard to ask, but I will. that's even hard to ask, but I will. Is it worth following Christ if Is it worth following Christ if Is it worth following Christ if following him makes life harder? Today following him makes life harder? Today following him makes life harder? Today on Ask Pastor John when walking away on Ask Pastor John when walking away on Ask Pastor John when walking away feels good. feels good. feels good. That's what's happening in Jared's life That's what's happening in Jared's life That's what's happening in Jared's life in Asheville, North Carolina. Pastor in Asheville, North Carolina. Pastor in Asheville, North Carolina. Pastor John, I've recently walked away from God John, I've recently walked away from God John, I've recently walked away from God and honestly don't want much to do with and honestly don't want much to do with and honestly don't want much to do with him. I feel like he's let me down so him. I feel like he's let me down so him. I feel like he's let me down so many times. When I was close to him and many times. When I was close to him and many times. When I was close to him and going to church, I tried to fix my going to church, I tried to fix my going to church, I tried to fix my marriage, get a house, and improve my marriage, get a house, and improve my marriage, get a house, and improve my life. But everything seemed to fall life. But everything seemed to fall life. But everything seemed to fall apart. No matter how hard I tried, I apart. No matter how hard I tried, I apart. No matter how hard I tried, I felt like I could never satisfy him. I felt like I could never satisfy him. I felt like I could never satisfy him. I kept falling into sins I swore to leave kept falling into sins I swore to leave kept falling into sins I swore to leave behind.

behind. behind. And since I stopped going to church and And since I stopped going to church and And since I stopped going to church and trying to follow Jesus, life feels a lot trying to follow Jesus, life feels a lot trying to follow Jesus, life feels a lot easier. To be honest with you, I don't easier. To be honest with you, I don't easier. To be honest with you, I don't feel guilty about how I live anymore. feel guilty about how I live anymore. feel guilty about how I live anymore. That said, I still believe Jesus rose That said, I still believe Jesus rose That said, I still believe Jesus rose from the grave and that there's evidence from the grave and that there's evidence from the grave and that there's evidence to support it, but I'm questioning to support it, but I'm questioning to support it, but I'm questioning whether he's worth following. Why should whether he's worth following. Why should whether he's worth following. Why should I believe in Jesus if my life is better I believe in Jesus if my life is better I believe in Jesus if my life is better now without him? now without him? now without him? >> Jared, when I saw your question, the >> Jared, when I saw your question, the >> Jared, when I saw your question, the first thing I did was to pray for you. first thing I did was to pray for you. first thing I did was to pray for you. Because I know that when the rich young Because I know that when the rich young Because I know that when the rich young ruler turned away from Jesus ruler turned away from Jesus ruler turned away from Jesus because it looked like the cost was because it looked like the cost was because it looked like the cost was simply too high to follow him, simply too high to follow him, simply too high to follow him, the disciples were the disciples were the disciples were absolutely staggered that Jesus would absolutely staggered that Jesus would absolutely staggered that Jesus would say it's hard for a rich man to enter say it's hard for a rich man to enter say it's hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom. the kingdom. the kingdom. So they said to Jesus, "Well, then who So they said to Jesus, "Well, then who So they said to Jesus, "Well, then who can be saved?" And Jesus didn't say you can be saved?" And Jesus didn't say you can be saved?" And Jesus didn't say you misunderstood. He said misunderstood. He said misunderstood. He said with man this is impossible.

with man this is impossible. with man this is impossible. In other words, to be saved is In other words, to be saved is In other words, to be saved is impossible, impossible, impossible, but not with God. but not with God. but not with God. For all things are possible with God. For all things are possible with God. For all things are possible with God. I know and I suspect Jared, you know, I know and I suspect Jared, you know, I know and I suspect Jared, you know, that my words by themselves are not that my words by themselves are not that my words by themselves are not going to bring about the kind of change going to bring about the kind of change going to bring about the kind of change in your mind and heart that need to in your mind and heart that need to in your mind and heart that need to happen. happen. happen. So that's why I prayed. I'm praying in So that's why I prayed. I'm praying in So that's why I prayed. I'm praying in my mind right now. my mind right now. my mind right now. I asked God to do through my words what I asked God to do through my words what I asked God to do through my words what words alone can never do. And maybe words alone can never do. And maybe words alone can never do. And maybe If you're so inclined, you should If you're so inclined, you should If you're so inclined, you should whisper that prayer whisper that prayer whisper that prayer with me. with me. with me. You ask, "Why should I believe in Jesus You ask, "Why should I believe in Jesus You ask, "Why should I believe in Jesus if my life is better now without him?" if my life is better now without him?" if my life is better now without him?" And you explain to us how it's better. And you explain to us how it's better. And you explain to us how it's better. He didn't fix your marriage.

He didn't fix your marriage. He didn't fix your marriage. He didn't provide the house you hoped He didn't provide the house you hoped He didn't provide the house you hoped for. He didn't improve your life. for. He didn't improve your life. for. He didn't improve your life. Everything fell apart. Everything fell apart. Everything fell apart. You felt you could never satisfy him. You felt you could never satisfy him. You felt you could never satisfy him. And now there's this huge gain. And now there's this huge gain. And now there's this huge gain. I don't feel guilty anymore I don't feel guilty anymore I don't feel guilty anymore about how I live. And I'll tell you about how I live. And I'll tell you about how I live. And I'll tell you that's a good thing. I mean, a good that's a good thing. I mean, a good that's a good thing. I mean, a good feeling. [laughter] Not to feel guilty feeling. [laughter] Not to feel guilty feeling. [laughter] Not to feel guilty is a good is a good is a good >> feeling. So even if Jesus did rise from >> feeling. So even if Jesus did rise from >> feeling. So even if Jesus did rise from the dead, you say, "Why would he be the dead, you say, "Why would he be the dead, you say, "Why would he be worth following? worth following? worth following? He doesn't make things better." He doesn't make things better." He doesn't make things better." I'm going to give you some reasons I'm going to give you some reasons I'm going to give you some reasons why Jesus is worth following. why Jesus is worth following. why Jesus is worth following. But first, let me make clear that one of But first, let me make clear that one of But first, let me make clear that one of those reasons will not be that he makes those reasons will not be that he makes those reasons will not be that he makes your life go better. your life go better. your life go better. Not the way you were expecting it to go Not the way you were expecting it to go Not the way you were expecting it to go better. Evidently, better. Evidently, better. Evidently, Jesus never promised that. He never Jesus never promised that. He never Jesus never promised that. He never promised that.

promised that. promised that. He said if we suffer with him, we will He said if we suffer with him, we will He said if we suffer with him, we will be glorified with him. He said it might be glorified with him. He said it might be glorified with him. He said it might involve tribulation, distress, involve tribulation, distress, involve tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, persecution, famine, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword. He said, "If nakedness, danger, sword. He said, "If nakedness, danger, sword. He said, "If they persecuted me, they'll persecute they persecuted me, they'll persecute they persecuted me, they'll persecute you." you." you." He said we must take up our cross and He said we must take up our cross and He said we must take up our cross and deny ourselves and follow him. He said deny ourselves and follow him. He said deny ourselves and follow him. He said unless we renounce all that we have we unless we renounce all that we have we unless we renounce all that we have we cannot be his disciples. He said that cannot be his disciples. He said that cannot be his disciples. He said that the creation is groaning. The whole the creation is groaning. The whole the creation is groaning. The whole creation is groaning and we who have the creation is groaning and we who have the creation is groaning and we who have the first fruits of the spirit groan first fruits of the spirit groan first fruits of the spirit groan inwardly as we wait for the adoption, inwardly as we wait for the adoption, inwardly as we wait for the adoption, the redemption of our bodies. He said the redemption of our bodies. He said the redemption of our bodies. He said that our bodies are wasting away. that our bodies are wasting away. that our bodies are wasting away. and he said it's appointed to everybody and he said it's appointed to everybody and he said it's appointed to everybody to die. I suppose one way you could sum to die. I suppose one way you could sum to die. I suppose one way you could sum up all that would be to say he promised up all that would be to say he promised up all that would be to say he promised that things would fall apart.

that things would fall apart. that things would fall apart. And in spite of all that, And in spite of all that, And in spite of all that, indeed in and through all that, he said indeed in and through all that, he said indeed in and through all that, he said that his people can have more joy in that his people can have more joy in that his people can have more joy in this life this life this life and forever and forever and forever than the world has when its grain and than the world has when its grain and than the world has when its grain and wine abound. wine abound. wine abound. The Apostle Peter said, "Though you have The Apostle Peter said, "Though you have The Apostle Peter said, "Though you have not seen Jesus, you love him. not seen Jesus, you love him. not seen Jesus, you love him. Though you do not see him, you believe Though you do not see him, you believe Though you do not see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is in him and rejoice with joy that is in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressable inexpressable inexpressable and glorified. and glorified. and glorified. That's first Peter 18. The happiest That's first Peter 18. The happiest That's first Peter 18. The happiest people that I have ever met or read people that I have ever met or read people that I have ever met or read about are the ones that have sacrificed about are the ones that have sacrificed about are the ones that have sacrificed most most most and tasted the love of Christ most and tasted the love of Christ most and tasted the love of Christ most deeply in their suffering. deeply in their suffering. deeply in their suffering. So I say all that Jared just to make So I say all that Jared just to make So I say all that Jared just to make clear that when I give you the reasons clear that when I give you the reasons clear that when I give you the reasons for why you should believe in Jesus, for why you should believe in Jesus, for why you should believe in Jesus, you will know it isn't you will know it isn't you will know it isn't because he makes your life in this world because he makes your life in this world because he makes your life in this world better. This is not one of the reasons.

better. This is not one of the reasons. better. This is not one of the reasons. He never promised it and it's not what He never promised it and it's not what He never promised it and it's not what the New Testament teaches. If somebody the New Testament teaches. If somebody the New Testament teaches. If somebody taught you that, they misled you. taught you that, they misled you. taught you that, they misled you. They didn't teach you to count the cost. They didn't teach you to count the cost. They didn't teach you to count the cost. My guess is that you can make a better My guess is that you can make a better My guess is that you can make a better life for yourself without Jesus life for yourself without Jesus life for yourself without Jesus if you ignore everything I'm about to if you ignore everything I'm about to if you ignore everything I'm about to say. say. say. You say You say You say you could never satisfy him. you could never satisfy him. you could never satisfy him. Well, neither could I. My goodness. He Well, neither could I. My goodness. He Well, neither could I. My goodness. He says, "Be perfect as your heavenly says, "Be perfect as your heavenly says, "Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect." Who can satisfy father is perfect." Who can satisfy father is perfect." Who can satisfy that? that? that? One person can satisfy that? Jesus One person can satisfy that? Jesus One person can satisfy that? Jesus Christ. And he did. And if you believe Christ. And he did. And if you believe Christ. And he did. And if you believe in him, Jared, his perfection in him, Jared, his perfection in him, Jared, his perfection will count as yours. He perfectly will count as yours. He perfectly will count as yours. He perfectly satisfied God. It's called justification satisfied God. It's called justification satisfied God. It's called justification by faith.

by faith. by faith. And I wonder, have you ever thought this And I wonder, have you ever thought this And I wonder, have you ever thought this was so helpful to me when when I read it was so helpful to me when when I read it was so helpful to me when when I read it in CS Lewis? I should have seen it in in CS Lewis? I should have seen it in in CS Lewis? I should have seen it in the Bible first, but I didn't. the Bible first, but I didn't. the Bible first, but I didn't. Have you ever thought that even though Have you ever thought that even though Have you ever thought that even though God's standards of perfection are God's standards of perfection are God's standards of perfection are impossible to satisfy in this life, he impossible to satisfy in this life, he impossible to satisfy in this life, he is nevertheless is nevertheless is nevertheless easy to please. easy to please. easy to please. Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever thought about that? Every single little good thing you do by Every single little good thing you do by Every single little good thing you do by faith is pleasing to God. faith is pleasing to God. faith is pleasing to God. CS Lewis said, "God is easy to please CS Lewis said, "God is easy to please CS Lewis said, "God is easy to please and hard to satisfy." and hard to satisfy." and hard to satisfy." >> That's really helpful to me. I hope it >> That's really helpful to me. I hope it >> That's really helpful to me. I hope it is to you. is to you. is to you. There are reasons, lots of reasons, oh There are reasons, lots of reasons, oh There are reasons, lots of reasons, oh my goodness, that you should believe in my goodness, that you should believe in my goodness, that you should believe in Jesus. Even if your life is not better Jesus. Even if your life is not better Jesus. Even if your life is not better now, even if it is better without him, now, even if it is better without him, now, even if it is better without him, lots of reasons. If you trust him as lots of reasons. If you trust him as lots of reasons. If you trust him as your savior and lord and treasure, he your savior and lord and treasure, he your savior and lord and treasure, he will forgive all your sins, past, will forgive all your sins, past, will forgive all your sins, past, present, and future, because he died in present, and future, because he died in present, and future, because he died in your place. He will make you eternally your place. He will make you eternally your place. He will make you eternally secure so that from the moment you are secure so that from the moment you are secure so that from the moment you are justified, justified, justified, declared perfect with the perfection of declared perfect with the perfection of declared perfect with the perfection of Jesus, you can know that you will Jesus, you can know that you will Jesus, you can know that you will someday be glorified forever and ever

someday be glorified forever and ever someday be glorified forever and ever and ever. He will adopt you into his and ever. He will adopt you into his and ever. He will adopt you into his family and call you his son. Think of family and call you his son. Think of family and call you his son. Think of it, a son of God, the creator of the it, a son of God, the creator of the it, a son of God, the creator of the universe. He promises that as a son, you universe. He promises that as a son, you universe. He promises that as a son, you will inherit absolutely everything God will inherit absolutely everything God will inherit absolutely everything God owns in the universe. In the age to owns in the universe. In the age to owns in the universe. In the age to come, he will put everything at your come, he will put everything at your come, he will put everything at your disposal for your benefit forever. disposal for your benefit forever. disposal for your benefit forever. And he promises that in spite of all the And he promises that in spite of all the And he promises that in spite of all the hardships in this life, his yoke will be hardships in this life, his yoke will be hardships in this life, his yoke will be easy and his burden will be light easy and his burden will be light easy and his burden will be light because he'll help you carry it. because he'll help you carry it. because he'll help you carry it. He promises never to leave you or He promises never to leave you or He promises never to leave you or forsake you, but always to be with you forsake you, but always to be with you forsake you, but always to be with you until the very end. The precious until the very end. The precious until the very end. The precious friendship of Jesus right now and all friendship of Jesus right now and all friendship of Jesus right now and all your life. your life. your life. He promises that absolutely everything He promises that absolutely everything He promises that absolutely everything will work together for your good. Even will work together for your good. Even will work together for your good. Even the bad things when your life is falling the bad things when your life is falling the bad things when your life is falling apart. He is that wise. He is that apart. He is that wise. He is that apart. He is that wise. He is that strong. He is that good. They will work strong. He is that good. They will work strong. He is that good. They will work together for your good as you trust him.

together for your good as you trust him. together for your good as you trust him. He will pursue you with goodness and He will pursue you with goodness and He will pursue you with goodness and mercy all your days. He will never turn mercy all your days. He will never turn mercy all your days. He will never turn away from doing good to you. He'll away from doing good to you. He'll away from doing good to you. He'll rejoice over you with all his heart and rejoice over you with all his heart and rejoice over you with all his heart and with all his soul. It actually says that with all his soul. It actually says that with all his soul. It actually says that in Jeremiah 32:40. It's almost too good in Jeremiah 32:40. It's almost too good in Jeremiah 32:40. It's almost too good to be true. to be true. to be true. He will help you and strengthen you and He will help you and strengthen you and He will help you and strengthen you and hold you up with his victorious right hold you up with his victorious right hold you up with his victorious right hand in all your trials. He promised to hand in all your trials. He promised to hand in all your trials. He promised to guide the humble in what is right and to guide the humble in what is right and to guide the humble in what is right and to lead us in paths of righteousness for lead us in paths of righteousness for lead us in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. You won't be left his name's sake. You won't be left his name's sake. You won't be left without guidance. without guidance. without guidance. And when you are old like me, he will And when you are old like me, he will And when you are old like me, he will still be with you to help you die. Even still be with you to help you die. Even still be with you to help you die. Even to your old age, I am he. And to gray to your old age, I am he. And to gray to your old age, I am he. And to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made and hairs I will carry you. I have made and hairs I will carry you. I have made and I will bear. I will carry and will save. I will bear. I will carry and will save. I will bear. I will carry and will save. And at the end, Jared, And at the end, Jared, And at the end, Jared, he will deliver you from the wrath of he will deliver you from the wrath of he will deliver you from the wrath of God. God. God. And instead of God's wrath, he will And instead of God's wrath, he will And instead of God's wrath, he will bring you into eternal life in God's bring you into eternal life in God's bring you into eternal life in God's presence where there is fullness of joy presence where there is fullness of joy presence where there is fullness of joy and pleasures at his right hand forever and pleasures at his right hand forever and pleasures at his right hand forever more. And it cannot get any better than more. And it cannot get any better than more. And it cannot get any better than that. fullness, not partial, fullness of that. fullness, not partial, fullness of that. fullness, not partial, fullness of joy forever. Not 80,000 years, but joy forever. Not 80,000 years, but joy forever. Not 80,000 years, but forever.

forever. forever. And Jared, And Jared, And Jared, this list of reasons why it makes sense this list of reasons why it makes sense this list of reasons why it makes sense to follow Jesus could go on and on and to follow Jesus could go on and on and to follow Jesus could go on and on and on. May I testify on. May I testify on. May I testify as an 80year-old as an 80year-old as an 80year-old who has walked with Jesus for 74 years, who has walked with Jesus for 74 years, who has walked with Jesus for 74 years, he is worth it. he is worth it. he is worth it. To know him and live with him is a To know him and live with him is a To know him and live with him is a better life better life better life no matter how many things fall apart. no matter how many things fall apart. no matter how many things fall apart. Amen. Totally worth it. Thank you for Amen. Totally worth it. Thank you for Amen. Totally worth it. Thank you for your testimony, Pastor John, and uh for your testimony, Pastor John, and uh for your testimony, Pastor John, and uh for the reminder that Jesus promised that the reminder that Jesus promised that the reminder that Jesus promised that things would fall apart. And in spite of things would fall apart. And in spite of things would fall apart. And in spite of all that falling apart, indeed in and all that falling apart, indeed in and all that falling apart, indeed in and through all of that falling apart, he through all of that falling apart, he through all of that falling apart, he said that his people can have more joy said that his people can have more joy said that his people can have more joy in this life and forever than the world in this life and forever than the world in this life and forever than the world has when its grain and wine abound. That has when its grain and wine abound. That has when its grain and wine abound. That is a great promise. This is a great text is a great promise. This is a great text is a great promise. This is a great text for when life falls apart around you and for when life falls apart around you and for when life falls apart around you and it will. And yet in the rebuilding, he it will. And yet in the rebuilding, he it will. And yet in the rebuilding, he has promised us forgiveness of sins, has promised us forgiveness of sins, has promised us forgiveness of sins, adoption as his sons, the eternal adoption as his sons, the eternal adoption as his sons, the eternal security of life eternal, and God's security of life eternal, and God's security of life eternal, and God's never leaving presence with us now and never leaving presence with us now and never leaving presence with us now and an eternal weight of glory and pleasures an eternal weight of glory and pleasures an eternal weight of glory and pleasures forever more to come. It is so worth it.

forever more to come. It is so worth it. forever more to come. It is so worth it. So worth it. But it's not automatic. We So worth it. But it's not automatic. We So worth it. But it's not automatic. We have to fight to stay. We fight our have to fight to stay. We fight our have to fight to stay. We fight our self-pity. We fight against our pouting self-pity. We fight against our pouting self-pity. We fight against our pouting when things break. We wage war against when things break. We wage war against when things break. We wage war against our complaining when things fall apart. our complaining when things fall apart. our complaining when things fall apart. That is an important part of Pastor That is an important part of Pastor That is an important part of Pastor John's testimony too of his enduring John's testimony too of his enduring John's testimony too of his enduring faith. When he says it's worth it, it's faith. When he says it's worth it, it's faith. When he says it's worth it, it's because he fights against his own because he fights against his own because he fights against his own self-pity here. You can see why and how self-pity here. You can see why and how self-pity here. You can see why and how in a very personal season of Pastor in a very personal season of Pastor in a very personal season of Pastor John's life for you. He explains to us John's life for you. He explains to us John's life for you. He explains to us what he had to fight to keep going. what he had to fight to keep going. what he had to fight to keep going. That's self-pity. You can see that in That's self-pity. You can see that in That's self-pity. You can see that in the Ask Pastor John book on pages 128 to the Ask Pastor John book on pages 128 to the Ask Pastor John book on pages 128 to 130. You don't want to miss that 130. You don't want to miss that 130. You don't want to miss that section. Pages 128 to 130. Next time, section. Pages 128 to 130. Next time, section. Pages 128 to 130. Next time, why in the world did Jesus call a woman why in the world did Jesus call a woman why in the world did Jesus call a woman a dog? It is a weird story. It's a weird a dog? It is a weird story. It's a weird a dog? It is a weird story. It's a weird story with a glorious point that's so story with a glorious point that's so story with a glorious point that's so relevant to us today. I'm Tony Ranki. relevant to us today. I'm Tony Ranki. relevant to us today. I'm Tony Ranki. We'll see you back here on Thursday for We'll see you back here on Thursday for We'll see you back here on Thursday for that.