The Always-Uncomfortability of the Saint's Life On Earth

 The Always-Uncomfortability of the Saint's Life On Earth


The church's true children of God, those who are born again to a vital hope in the Lord Jesus Christ--always, in a certain sense, bear about in their souls an uncomfortable feeling while living in this world.  Our Heavenly Father makes sure that this will be the case--and He does this for our good.  It is in this sense, perhaps more than in any other, that the regenerate Christians are "aliens and strangers" in this world, (cf. 1 Pet. 2:11).  It is not so much that we do not "belong" here, as it is that our hearts are not fully and passionately "here."  Instead, they (our redeemed and Spirit-filled) souls are (really) in heaven, with Jesus.

 

The world can (and does sometimes) show us its splendor and glory--and our response (done respectfully within ourselves) is, "Ho-hum. This is nice; but it is not good enough (for me). I know, need, and want something more."  It is not that we do not appreciate the things in the world--it is just that they are not "good enough" for us; they simply cannot satisfy us.  And the reason? . . . Because we have beheld the face of Jesus Christ by faith--and we are just plain "spoiled" from now on.  Anything less than Him is just not good enough.

 

. . . What this means is, that while we church saints are on Earth, we are always a bit unnerved or unsettled in our souls--not because we do not already possess all the best things a person could own in this world--but because we are not yet in the full presence of Him (Jesus), who is our all-in-all, and First Love.  Because we live among other (unredeemed) things and people, we are always a little uncomfortable here.

 

None of this should "bother" us too much, because our loving Heavenly Father has provided us more than enough remedy to alleviate (our uncomfortability).  Our principal immediate Resource is the Person of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us and fills us.  The Holy Spirit keeps us "connected" to our Head (Jesus) in heaven.  Still, the unregenerate world--be it of (false) Christians or others--has no idea Who this Spirit is, and what He does for us.  This "alienation" makes us feel "lonely" down here (sometimes); and we realize that the world simply cannot understand us--it finds us an intractable enigma.  All of this serves to help make life a little uncomfortable here.

 

If the true saints were too comfortable here on Earth, it would not be good for us.  Some stress/some tension/some "uncomfortability" is actually good for us.  Why?  Because it keeps bringing us back to our Redeemer and His gospel of grace.  We keep being reminded: "I am forgiven on the basis of the shed blood of the blessed and beloved Son of God. All my sins are gone. I am free and beloved in the sight of God--and all because of Jesus Christ and what He has done for me."

 

What is rather wonderful about all of this--again, for the truly born-again saints of the church--is that we are in an inevitable "win/win" situation.  Is our standing with the Holy God perfectly right, in Jesus Christ?  Yes.  Are we somewhat uncomfortable living in this fallen world?  Yes.  Does the latter truth cancel-out the former one?  No.  God has provided us abundant provision in all of His resources.  These are His Son, His Spirit, His gospel, His word, and His church.

 

When we get to heaven, this "uncomfortability," this stress, this tension, this sense that everything is not exactly the way it should be, will all be gone.  But even now, in Jesus, by faith, we may have that hope and belief.  Are you perceiving something "uncomfortable" in your heart today--and this is not the result of your failure to acknowledge yourself to be an eternally-wicked sinner in yourself?  Then, take heart.  Here are your Messiah's words for you, from His own lips, as they come to us from John 16:33b: "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #96

8 May 2026

 

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com

Comments

  1. MarybethMay 8, 2026 at 8:20 AM

    This was very encouraging for me to read! Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rev. Mark J. HenningerMay 8, 2026 at 9:36 AM

    Bless you, dear Marybeth! I live in this "uncomfortability" every day. It took me a while to realize that it is part and parcel of a healthy Christian life. Still, is it not wonderful, that--even with this "stress"--we have full rest and peace in Jesus and His gospel of grace?!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kim GMay 8, 2026 at 10:02 AM

    I can really relate to this feeling! I thought I was just weird. Now it makes sense.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rev. Mark J. HenningerMay 8, 2026 at 10:48 AM

    Bless you, Kimmie! It is not you--instead, it is your spiritual "lot" as a child of God. I also am always "uncomfortable" here--and yet, you know me: I really enjoy life in Jesus. You are not alone!

    ReplyDelete

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