We cannot say that Christianity is "no sweat" in this life. We struggle, indeed, we sweat because of out timidity and spiritual weakness. We feel in our hearts the oppression of the law, although the gospel tells us that its power to oppress is done for. We struggle this way because we remain flesh and spirit, old man and new man. This battle provides plenty to sweat over in our daily lives. Our flesh remains a weight and burden. How easy it is to fall back into the maw of the law and feel the threat of judgment in our hearts. Even the most insignificant event or experience can drive us to despair. The merest remark from a friend, relative, or church member, even if that remark was not intended to wound, can drive us to doubt our value in the sight of God and remind us of our sin and weakness.

We even beat ourselves up because our consciences are not stronger and succumb to depression over the smallest thing, "If I were stronger, such sleights, real or not, would not bother me." Pastors often feel this way when there is conflict in the congregations they serve. They feel like they are failing their calling when they can't get everyone to live in harmony. And even though they know that it is an unrealistic expectation they often feel acutely the burden of failure.

We share our sweat with another. We don't sweat alone. The Lord Jesus knelt in the Garden and "being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Lk 22:44). He suffered the burden of the whole law and the world's entire transgression of it. What a crushing weight He bore. He bears what we could not. He hefts a burden and will not shrug, but carries if for the world. His sweat changes everything. Only our timidity keeps us from believing this. God has been gracious to us in Christ, giving us in its fullness the life of Christ.

What if you were to find yourself as a poor beggar eking out a living on the street when you were approached by Bill Gates who offered you anything in his power to give, and you asked Gates for a moldy crust of bread? Who wouldn't consider you an ungrateful wretch unable to take this rich man at his word, take advantage of an opportunity to escape poverty, and perhaps in the process to help many other persons out of poverty? Yet, often because of our weakness, timidity, and fear we ask God for a crust instead of demanding the promised gifts of the righteousness that comes from Christ and is ours by faith. Stop being afraid! There is nothing to be afraid about. There is nothing to be timid about. Have courage, because in Christ and for Christ's sake the Christian life is "no sweat."