We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God

Acts 14:19-28

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

They preached the gospel 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. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.

Why?
v26 Antioch is close to the east side of the Mediterranean Sea where they had been committed to the grace of God for the works they had now completed. V19 Antioch is located north of the Mediterranean Sea.

Paul and Barnabas were not frustrated under the pressure of Jews. They keep preaching the word of the Lord strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.

Yes, all of us should like Paul go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.

To be a Christian is not just to enjoy grace,  peace, and joy, we may suffer much distress pressure, and danger. Like Jesus bear the cross and follow Jesus Christ.

How?

May my life be used by the Lord and strength brothers and sisters.