Is the Christian life supposed to be easy?
The Christian life is never easy, but a constant battle against the forces of Satan and the designs of the world around us, requiring diligent work for God's glory and eternal reward. Nevertheless, God has promised that believers can do it.
Les explains that although salvation is secure, believers are not to sit down and get lazy; they are to work to further God's work among humanity and to gain reward. He notes that the gold, silver, and precious stones represent works rightly motivated for God's glory, while ego-enhancing efforts become wood, hay, and stubble, because God looks at the motivation. Les uses the illustration of paddling a canoe up a roaring river to show the Christian life is never easy—it is a constant battle against Satan and the world's designs, but God has promised believers can do it.