“In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33)  

Do you wonder why God allows or causes unpleasant things in your life? Look at Christ, and see how pure and holy He is. One day, you’ll be like Him (1 John 3:2). Do you think it will be easy to be conformed to His image? Since you’re not a robot, you must cooperate with God’s sanctification process. Yes, He made you a saint, which just means “holy”, but now that you’re saved, the Holy Spirit will lead you to do “good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). You’ll “do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight” (Hebrews 13:20).

 Christ “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14); “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works” (Titus 2:7); “he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21-22). 

 You were once a servant of Satan, and no king will willingly lose his subjects. Satan won’t leave you alone. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9). You’re in enemy country. The world is not your friend. “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4). 

 Look within yourself, and find your Old Man. Even if there wasn’t the world and Satan to content with, you’ve still got the flesh and your Old Man. “Put off, concerning your former conduct, the Old Man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Ephesians 4:22). So expect trouble, but don’t despair. God promises, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalms 50:15).