After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 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. [Acts 14.21-22]
While it is true that faith in Christ brings freedom and liberty, it is also very true that hardships accompany one's pursuit of the Kingdom of God.
It would really be nice if all the feel-good religion promoted today was valid, but based on the Bible, it is not. Jesus Himself warned that the way to the Kingdom of God was narrow and difficult and that few would find it.
Feel-good religion however is precisely what occurs when the Kingdom of God is no longer the primary focus. When the Kingdom of God is not first, then only naturally, 'self' becomes man's main objective.
The church today has fallen victim to self-centeredness (that is very much the agenda of Satan). Particularly in areas of affluence, 'self' has become all-important. Ad campaigns appeal to the promotion and comfort of 'self'. Consequently, entitlements abound. 'Self' has become more important than the Kingdom of God - one does not have to search hard to discover this fact.
Those who truly wish to pursue the Kingdom of God today will necessarily have to ignore mainstream thinking about 'self'. I am not promoting the idea that in order to please God we must suffer - that's not the point. The point is, that to pursue the Kingdom of God, we must pursue the Kingdom of God first without consideration for 'self' (Matthew 6.33).
However, it is just as erroneous to place suffering above the Kingdom of God as it is to make 'self' a priority! The point is not about deciding between comfort or suffering, it is about seeking the Kingdom first always!
Father, help us to stay focused on the Kingdom!
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