“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” – Paul the Apostle
Paul made this statement when he was encouraging the disciples in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch to stay true to the faith. Life, as a believer, in these cities was not easy. Paul had encountered much persecution as he shared the gospel message in these places.
At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. Acts 14:1-3 NIV
There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel. Acts 14:5-6 NIV
I love that despite the persecution, Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there speaking boldly for the Lord! Even when they fled to the surrounding cities, they continued to preach the gospel. For a while, things were going well in the nearby cities. God even used Paul to heal a lame man. The people were so impressed that Paul had a hard time convincing them that he and Barnabas weren’t gods themselves. But soon the persecution returned.
Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Acts 14:19-21a NIV
I think that after being stoned and left for dead I would have given up, or at least taken some time to rest and regain my courage and my strength, but not Paul; the very next day he left for a new city and continued sharing the good news! What was it that kept Paul going? We can find some clues in the message he shared in these cities.
“We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.” Acts 14:15b NIV
Paul was not just going through some religious experience, he had come to know the living God! He was serving the One who made the earth and everyone on it! He came to realize that everything else, in comparison, was worthless!
“He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Acts 14:17b
God had filled Paul’s heart with so much joy that nothing would deter him from remaining faithful! He came to terms with the hardships he would have to face to enter the kingdom of God and he was at peace with it. He realized that God’s kindness far outweighed the difficulties he had to endure. Can you say the same thing? Have you come to terms with the hardships in your life? God wants to fill you with so much joy that nothing will pull you away from Him! Nothing in life compares with knowing God. If you’ve not yet experienced this level of relationship with your Creator, take some time to seek Him today.