There are many scriptures from both Testaments that outwardly state that Christians are under the protective custody of their savior Jesus Christ (when they are truly seeking to walk as HE walked). That is not to say that they (Christians) are immune to anything and everything else that an unbeliever has to deal with. Christians are (almost) as vulnerable as non-Christians. In many cases they suffer and die just for standing up for their beliefs. And if you ascribe to a health and wealth receiving doctrine of being a Christian, you’re going to be sadly mistaken. Look at the disciples meager life of existence for your example. And if health and wealth Christianity were true, you’d be worshipping God to get something out of Him instead of just loving Him simply because He allowed His thought of you to be materialized (beamed-up as it were). Plus sacrificing His Son’s life so that we have a chance to live eternally with God Almighty Himself.
So where and when does the protective custody kick in? Try a behind the scenes approach: the Providence of God. It’s not until you’ve taken a retrospective of decades of your Christian experience that you come to the realization that the pieces of your life’s puzzle God has slowly manipulated for your Christian growth and general well being. Admittedly. God obviously blessed Abraham and Job with much wealth, but even their faith was indeed tested by God just to make to make sure they had the proper motivation.
PS: Yes, the stone face behind the protective shield is that of Rio de Janerio’s Christ the Redeemer statue. So, the shield of salvation is two-fold: a not so certain physical salvation from the present world at bay. And secondly, and much more significantly, a promised Heavenly salvation instead of Hell’s damnation.
Leave a Reply