Harry Ironside once said: “Jesus Christ is not a problem; He is the solution to every problem for life, for death, and for eternity.”1 In our world today where problems impact everyone it is great to know that as Christians we have the ultimate solution to everyone of them in the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s take a look at the three areas that Ironside talks about – life, death, and eternity.
Life
Life is full of problems. Sickness, money issues, the search for meaning, and a host of other pressing issues face all of us at one time or another. But praise God, no matter what problems you may be going through, it is so comforting to know that we can cast our cares on Jesus and He will pull us through every one of them. Scripture gives us the ultimate answer to life’s problems when it says: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). My friends, God will take every trial, every pain, and every problem we face in life and work it for good through Jesus Christ if we only trust Him. And even when we feel all may look hopeless – Jesus becomes our endless hope! For I have learned that one of the great secrets of life is that our problems serve as opportunities for us to be used by God to glorify Jesus by allowing His perfect will to be done in our lives.
Death
Death – it sounds so final. But for the child of God death is not the end but a wonderful transition into another stage of life where Jesus can use death to take those problems in life that seem unsolvable, and find a solution. For example, if we come down with an incurable disease, in this life, it may be permanent, but in the economy of God it is only temporary, because when we get to heaven we will be clothed with a glorified body and experience perfect health. And while the world views death as our final chapter in life, because of Jesus, death ushers us into our most exciting dimension of life – eternity!
Eternity
Eternity – it’s our future destination in life. It is where our future citizenship is with Jesus. It’s where we will be reunited with the tree of life that was forfeited in the garden of Eden. It’s where we will live in a land that has no night but we will experience the eternal light of Jesus. It’s a place where there is no more pain or tears, but only endless joy and bliss. And all of this is made possible by knowing and being a friend of Jesus – the ultimate problem solver. Eternity with Jesus is the dimension in life that has no problems and has no end. Eternity is where our problems are solved forever – and I can’t wait to meet my Savior there!
1 Harry Ironside – Jesus Christ is not a problem, He is the solution…
Jesus Isn’t a Puzzle. He’s the Fix. ______M.R. Neveu
Curt Blattman hangs his devotional (above) on Harry Ironside’s blunt line: “Jesus Christ is not a problem; He is the solution to every problem for life, for death, and for eternity.”
Curt’s move is simple: walk Ironside’s triad (life, death, eternity) and insist Christ isn’t just comfort for problems, but Lord over them.
Henry Allan (“Harry”) Ironside (1876–1951) was a Canadian-American Bible expositor, preacher, pastor, and ridiculously prolific author. Born in Toronto (Oct 14, 1876), he died while on a preaching trip in Cambridge, New Zealand (Jan 15, 1951).
Ironside was a major Bible teacher and pastor at Moody Church (1930–1948), preaching to thousands, shaping a generation of evangelical faith and confidence. The line “He is the solution” fits that kind of ministry. Christ doesn’t merely explain life, He redeems it.
Think “Archbishop of Fundamentalism”, nicknamed cuz he was a big deal in early-to-mid 20th century American fundamentalism despite not having the typical academic pipeline.
Prolific is the word you’re searching for. 100+ books, booklets, pamphlets.
His style? Like Bruce Lee – fighting without fighting. Not fancy. Not mystical. Not trying to impress the theological cool kids. More like: “Here’s the text. Here’s what it says. Now obey it.” That’s why Curt can hang a devotional on an Ironside one-liner and it still bites – deep.
Ethyl – time to sky-pilot for the masses. Ya me Voy.
1) Life: Jesus isn’t your life coach. He’s your refuge.
Curt points to the Christian’s real defiance: we “cast our cares on Jesus”. That’s not motivational fluff. It’s the claim that providence has teeth. The “solution” is that storms get repurposed: problems become opportunities to glorify Christ by submitting to His will instead of being ruled by fear, pride, or self-pity.
2) Death: the world calls it a wall. Christ calls it a door.
Curt admits death, for the child of God, death is “a wonderful transition,” not annihilation. This is where “Christ as solution” gets sharp. Some problems don’t get solved on your schedule.
I think Curt’s point is that resurrection is not a sentimental metaphor, it’s God’s demolition of finality. If Jesus is risen, then death is downgraded from master to messenger.
3) Eternity: the end of problems, not just the pause button.
Curt describes eternity as citizenship with Jesus, restored life, no night, no tears, no pain. That’s not escapism. It’s the Christian claim that history has a destination and the destination hasn’t some cozy armchair mystic.
If Christ is only a helper, your problems stay in charge. If Christ is Lord, your problems get reassigned.
Thanks Mr. Blattman.