Acts 14:21,22 says this,
“21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
In these short verses we hear the encouragement of the apostle Paul to fellow believers. His encouragement comes in two broad challenges. The first of these challenges is that we are to continue in the faith. We are to remain steadfast and persevere in our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. God is to have our highest devotion and commitment and an enduring commitment on our part. Unlike our dealings with each other on a personal and professional level, our duty to God never ends, it is not temporary; it lasts forever. Given the fact that the world, the flesh, and the devil are against us, we need to continue to seek God’s help to continue in the Christian Faith, to persevere in our Christian walk. We cannot grow stronger and remain faithful to God unless the Lord sustains us day by day which is all the more reason why we need to pray for God to give us the grace of a persevering faith in Him.
The second of these challenges is a reminder by the apostle Paul in Acts 14:22,
“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” He is being honest and realistic about the battle and the struggle through which we enter God’s kingdom. While tribulations in some contexts can mean more generally any trouble or sufferings, I think it is warranted to view the tribulations that he speaks of in this passage as connected to our faith in Christ. In much the same vein, the apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Persecutions can take many forms but certainly our society already looks down on Christianity with disdain and contempt because of the moral values of godliness, restraint, and self control which is a form of persecution that we are called to endure. As we face persecution we must take into account that this is one way that God strengthens our faith in Him. Yes, our faith is strengthened as we resist the pressure to conform to the immoral values of this world. While this challenge is uncomfortable and daunting let us take heart in the promises of our Lord given in His Word:
“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” (John 6:39)
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
May our Lord strengthen us to continue to serve the Lord and remain faithful to Him.
Pastor Cedric R. Benner
