“And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, ‘We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.’”
Acts 14:21-22 NKJV
After Paul is stoned to death and raised back to life, he stands up in faith and goes right back to doing ministry with Barnabas. They preach the good news in Derbe and make many disciples because the good news—the full Gospel, the whole truth and nothing but the truth—is always effective. The Word of God does not return void. It’s when we water it down, or preach a different message than Jesus, that the preaching isn’t effective.
Then Paul and Barnabas make a circuit back through the towns that had run them off, tried to kill them, and persecuted them. They are not scared. They’re not worried. They are standing in faith. They go back to strengthen the souls of these believers by encouraging them to continue in the faith they received through believing in Jesus. Paul and Barnabas remind them, as living examples, of something that’s still critical for us today. Believers must, not could or should, but must through many tribulations enter the Kingdom of God.
That’s what continuing in the faith looks like: engaging in the Kingdom of God in the midst of trials, tribulations, persecution, and hardship. And it’s why Ephesians 6 matters so much. We’re told to get our strength from the Lord and His mighty power, to rely upon Him. Our battle each day isn’t against things we can see. It’s not against flesh-and-blood enemies. Our wrestle is against rulers and authorities of the unseen world, mighty powers in this dark world, and evil spirits in heavenly places. Our trials are just evidence of the fight.
Put on the armor of God daily so you can resist the schemes of the enemy, and after your battles you will stand firm like Paul and Barnabas. The armor of God in Ephesians 6 is the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and the spear of prayer. Today I exhort you: continue your faith in God. Trust Him in the trial, not you. Rely on the grace of the Lord by clothing yourself in God’s armor each day. Try it and see what happens.