Suffering Hardships

Acts 14

21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

Woah, wait a minute! Did you catch that last part of verse 22? “Reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.” Yup, “hardships.” No health and wealth gospel being preached by Paul and Barnabas! No easy way out being taught here. No, sit back in your comfort zones as doctrine of the 1st century Church. American Christians have not the first notion about suffering or hardship as it relates to their faith. I don’t. I live in a land where as of this writing, I am still free to practice my faith without fear of reprisal of imprisonment or death. Now, that may change in the years to come, but for now, there are no hardships to overcome. So, is it any wonder that the Church in America is fat, lazy, and out of touch? Is it any wonder that shysters can take to the TV airwaves, slick unknowing and unsophisticated people out of their money, all in the “name of Jesus.”? Is it any wonder we have allowed the government to take on the responsibilities of caring for the widows and orphans? Maybe it is time for some suffering and hardships so we in the Church in America can get back to our original calling.