September 8 – Tried by Fire (Acts 14:19-22)

“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”(Acts 14:22)

IN WORD:
Paul & Barnabas had begun their mission work with a tour of duty through Cyprus and Asia Minor. People had responded with amazement. But almost immediately, leaders of the status quo began suppressing the new movement. The good news of Jesus was too threatening, so they threatened back.
So Paul & Barnabas declared that those who enter the Kingdom of God will enter through many hardships. Was this a new discovery for them? A developing theological principle? A major shift in Paul’s perspective? Acts doesn’t elaborate. Regardless, it is the early church’s affirmation of something Jesus had told His disciples: “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Peter and John had already experienced it. Now Paul would discover the same dynamic. The Good News isn’t considered “good” by everyone.
Many people in the world are now living this principle, 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 consider trials and persecution an aberration. 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 pressing His people into shape and refining them in the fire. It can be a violent process.

IN DEED:
It is human nature to try to avoid trials. It is godly nature to persevere through them. They have an indispensable purpose in molding us into the image of Christ, who, as we recall, suffered quite a bit. Establishing the Kingdom of God in His name was a traumatic event for Him. Entering the Kingdom of God in His name is traumatic for us as well.
Don’t pursue trials, but don’t run away from them in a panic, either. God is doing something profound in them, either to shape you or to demonstrate His Kingdom. Just patiently let Him.

“One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.” -G. K. Chesterton-