Necessary?

After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:21-22)

Necessary.

It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom?

I was thinking on those words today.

Why necessary?

Well, what Paul is not saying is that we somehow earn admittance into God’s kingdom by suffering hardship.

But it is necessary in the sense that it’s unavoidable. It’s unavoidable because we live in a world broken by sin. And it’s unavoidable because we have an enemy in Satan who is hostile to us.

But it’s also necessary in that God is putting us through a refining process.

He’s teaching us what’s truly important, and unlike what many people in this world think, an easy life is not. Nor is living for yourself and indulging in your sin.

Trusting and following God is what’s truly important. Because his way leads to true life.

Peter understood that truth. He said,

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin— in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. (1 Peter 4:1-2)

Paul understood that truth. He not only taught it to the new believers. We see in this chapter that he lived it. He modeled it.

So as Peter said,

Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.

Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

That’s the heart of a warrior of God.

I love the words of John Newton in the song “Amazing Grace.”

We don’t sing it so often at my church, unfortunately. I wish we did.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.