In Acts 14:22 we read, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” There are a number of things lately that have brought this scripture verse to mind: the Haiti earthquake, the current economic crisis, weekly snowstorms, multiple funerals, etc. Jesus himself told His disciples: “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). He sure knew what He was talking about!
While sharing the gospel with others, Peter and John discovered trouble. Paul discovered the same thing. The Good News isn’t considered “good” by everyone.
When Paul and Barnabas began their mission work with a tour of duty through Cyprus and Asia Minor, people responded with amazement. But almost immediately, leaders of the status quo began suppressing the new movement. The good new of Jesus was too threatening, so they threatened back.
Many people in the world are now living the principle of experiencing “hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” but the Western church has lost the concept of the trauma of discipleship. We’re caught up in our zeal for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We’ve forgotten that the gentle Kingdom of God and the vicious kingdom of darkness are competing for the same territory. We’ve forgotten that God makes disciples and displays His purposes by presing His people into His shape and refining them in the fire. So when God allows difficulties to come our way, it is actually a blessing in disguise, a sign that He cares enough about us to draw us closer, if not by our choice, out of necessity.
It is human nature to avoid trials. It is godly nature to perserve through them. Hardships have an indispensible purpose in molding us into the image of Christ, who, as we recall, suffered quite a bit for our sake. Established the Kingdom of God in His name was traumatic even for Him. So we should not expect entering into His Kingdom to be an easy process.
Don’t pursue trials, but don’t flee from them in panic, either. God is doing something profound in them, either to shape us or to demonstrate His Kingdom. Patiently let Him.
See you in church,
Terry