Unmoved For Pressing On!

As Paul was giving his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, though he did not know everything he would face upon arriving in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit had revealed to him that imprisonment and afflictions awaited him there. ( Acts 20:22-23) Nevertheless he was compelled by the Spirit to go and go he would.

Paul expressed his resolve in these words:
“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, IF ONLY I MAY FINISH MY COURSE AND THE MINISTRY THAT I RECEIVED from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” ( Acts 20:24 ESV)

Both the King James and New King James Versions begin this verse with the expression, “But NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME.” Like our Lord Jesus Christ Who set His own will of the flesh aside in the garden, accepting the Will of the Father and going all the way with the cross on our behalf, so Paul did not opt out and take the easy road. He could not even be persuaded by others to change his plans. ( Acts 21:14) Paul would not allow the possibility of imprisonment or even death ( Acts 21:13) to discourage him from pressing on in the work of testifying “to the gospel of the grace of God.” Because of this resolve Paul had opportunity to reach people -- including some in Caesar’s household ( Philippians 4:22) -- he might not have otherwise.

The New Living Translation reads…
“But MY LIFE IS WORTH NOTHING UNLESS I USE IT FOR DOING THE WORK ASSIGNED ME by the Lord Jesus -- the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.” [NLT © 1997, Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House]

What is it about our life that makes it truly worth living? Are we POWERFULLY COMPELLED to press on because we also recognize the high calling we have received? There are many things that can cause us to move off course or stop altogether: criticism, defeat, depression, discouragement, fear, becoming tired and weary with the day-to-day stuff, etc. Paul was focused to FINISH THE COURSE (or “complete the race”), refusing to allow any of these things to move him from doing so. May we follow His example as he followed the example of Christ ( 1 Corinthians 11:1) in this regard.

Have a great day MOVED BY CHRIST’S LOVE TO SERVE HIS WILL!
Carl

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