‘They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God,” they said.’
Acts 14:21
“We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God,” Remember that line, dear reader, at the times of needing it. Modern Christianity is often presented as a way to avoid hardships. In truth, it avoids some, brings others, and introduces an entirely new category of challenge, within which there are both hardships and joys unspeakable.
By surrendering to Christ, giving ones self to him, one begins a process of personal transformation. Included in this is a transformation of priorities. The spiritual becomes the priority, indeed as we read earlier, “the Spirit gives life, the flesh counts for nothing. See John 6:63
The spiritual consequence of every thought word and action becomes the gauge by which the outcome is judged. No longer is material gain or worldly rewards the measure. Nor is material loss and worldly scorn. The determining factor becomes the Spiritual one. Nothing else really matters. Indeed.