Love in Trouble

Acts 14:21-22

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

I suppose Paul did preach the gospel to that city and to many others also along the way. Well might Paul have stayed longer with the people there had they not stoned him and left him for dead. I do not know about you, but it certainly takes something special to put up with such treatment. Yet still he tells the cities and everyone he meets about Jesus. See, 1 Corinthians 13 explains the situation thusly. Each region to which he preached many people, languages, and cultures that were similar yet different. So, the apostles taught; for like the demons in conduct and lack of love the people were many. The tongues of men and angels are like brass or cymbals sounding or the marching of the armies without love. Prophetic, mystic, and knowledgic gifts operated in faith to do all things are in vain without love. Even if I gave everything to those in need and myself also, without love, it would be worthless. So, love is long-suffering, kind, not envious or exalted. Nor is love swollen, mischievous, and self-seeking. It is not provoked without cause. Thus, it bears no evil nor yet rejoices therein. Instead, it abounds, endures, believes, hopes, and bears long in truth. My, if only the people had loved Paul from the beginning as he also loved them. Some of you like to say, 'oh, I have love.' But how many of you know how love does. It seems others of you still suffer from a conduct disorder due to the lack thereof. See, when you have the love of Christ, everything changes. The old things of 2 Corinthians 5:17 pass away and become new once more. For so does his power change the very hearts and lives of men. Here I see it takes some knowledge of love for it to prevail.

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

So, it is good to confirm all those that believe to so continue in the faith. All of us might face a Hebrews situation sometime. If we are lucky, we might even make it all the way to Revelation without incident. See, when the kingdom of God is at stake, all our temporary situations will indeed be worth it. Now I am not saying you ought to go sell all you have to live as a martyr for Jesus. But a life of service so lived for Christ will hardly go unrewarded. My, does it not take Jesus' love to get there sometimes. For love have we been walking with him all this way even as little children of the faith. Still for love will we continue. At the end, in love like the apostles we will be carried home. There is no fault or failure to be found in love. Yet prophecies, tongues, and knowledges will flee away before the face of love. For all these are in part until he who is perfect comes. Now are the child and the man together in thinking and understanding. Still the lesser must give place to the greater. If you be yet little in Jesus, you will not be thus for long. Even when the glass obscures our view of those Heavenly things, yet will it only be temporary. So, Paul is now known by part but then in whole. Then will only faith, hope, and love remain; but of all, love will prevail. See, when you have the love of God within you, he will take you through any tribulation, trial, or difficulty faced. You might need some faith and some hope to get there. But when that which is perfect is come, rest assured that you and I will not pass by this way again. Walk with Jesus little ones. Believe me it is worth it.