This statement in Acts 14:22 it confuses us: "through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God." Why many tribulations? Why does it have to be one problem after another, one test after another?
If the metal heats up but its not strike with the hammer, it only weakens and, on the contrary, if it heats up and then hits when has already cooled, it is certain that it will be debilitated and the final product will have some irreparable fault. The Metal must go from the fire to the anvil to be beaten while still is red and back, again and again until the blacksmith considers that it has achieved the shape, the thick, the balance, the length of the blade and the length for the handle. Then again, it must be heated to harden the blade.
"Beloved, do not be surprised by the fire of trial that has come upon you, as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice because you are partakers of the sufferings of Christ, so that in the revelation of his glory you may rejoice with great joy" (I Peter 4: 12-13). It seems that all believers have a kind of magical thought that makes us believe that things in God will automatically be good, that business can not fail, that life will be all be fields of flowers, blue sky and birds chirping. But, although it is beautiful, it is not real: "It is necessary that through many tribulations we enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). What is real and true is what has been promised by the Lord. He said: "Let us go to the other side" (Mark 4:35), it means that there will be health and sickness, poverty and wealth, storms and blue sky, but finally, from the hand of the Lord we will come to the other side transformed into one trusted weapon of war in the hands of the Lord (Jeremiah 51:20).
... Will continue ... meanwhile, access the links to read samples of my books. I look forward to read your comments. God bless you.
If the metal heats up but its not strike with the hammer, it only weakens and, on the contrary, if it heats up and then hits when has already cooled, it is certain that it will be debilitated and the final product will have some irreparable fault. The Metal must go from the fire to the anvil to be beaten while still is red and back, again and again until the blacksmith considers that it has achieved the shape, the thick, the balance, the length of the blade and the length for the handle. Then again, it must be heated to harden the blade.
"Beloved, do not be surprised by the fire of trial that has come upon you, as though some strange thing happened to you, but rejoice because you are partakers of the sufferings of Christ, so that in the revelation of his glory you may rejoice with great joy" (I Peter 4: 12-13). It seems that all believers have a kind of magical thought that makes us believe that things in God will automatically be good, that business can not fail, that life will be all be fields of flowers, blue sky and birds chirping. But, although it is beautiful, it is not real: "It is necessary that through many tribulations we enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). What is real and true is what has been promised by the Lord. He said: "Let us go to the other side" (Mark 4:35), it means that there will be health and sickness, poverty and wealth, storms and blue sky, but finally, from the hand of the Lord we will come to the other side transformed into one trusted weapon of war in the hands of the Lord (Jeremiah 51:20).
... Will continue ... meanwhile, access the links to read samples of my books. I look forward to read your comments. God bless you.