Our Kingdom Blessings!
"We must through many tribulations
enter the kingdom of God."
Acts 14: 22
On his first missionary journey, Apostle Paul visited
towns like Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. In the towns,
he and Barnabas were attacked for preaching the
Gospel and barely escaped with their lives (Acts 14).
They later returned
through those towns in order to
strengthen the new converts in Christ, telling them,
“We must through many tribulations enter the
kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).
These words are examples of Paul incorporating teachings of
Jesus in his
own missionary preaching. Jesus in the Sermon
on the Mount said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The connection between persecution for Christ’s sake and the
Kingdom involves persevering through persecution, not falling
away from the faith. Only those who are willing to take up their
cross for Jesus inherit the
Kingdom of God (Luke 14:25-27).
If you experience persecution for your faith in
Jesus, take heart! The blessing of entering
in
God’s eternal Kingdom is your reward.
"Persecution is like the goldsmith’s hallmark
on real silver and gold; it is one of the marks
of a converted man."
J. C.
Ryle
