No one enters the kingdom of God who doesn’t first share in Christ’s suffering. If Jesus went through hardships, you can expect to as well.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada. And everyone who takes the Bible seriously, and many who don’t, all agree that God hates suffering. Because Jesus spent most of his time on earth relieving it. And it’s the same today. Every day he grants childless women babies, he pulls small‑business owners out of financial ruin, and he writes happy endings to sad situations. But it simply doesn’t follow that God’s only relationship to suffering is to relieve it. Because listen to this verse from Acts 14:22. It says, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Did you hear that? Not just hardships, but many hardships. In other words, no one goes to Christ’s heaven who doesn’t first share in Christ’s sufferings. So, this week, purpose in your heart to be no greater than your master. If the Lord Jesus suffered many hardships, you can expect to, as well.
© Joni and Friends