Acts 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; 20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
One of the most difficult things you face are the difficult things you face.
Difficulties do not go away when you become a Christ-follower. Indeed, they may worsen due to one simple fact: Now I stand for something.
Paul is one of many examples we see in the Word which directly contradict the notions of those who teach a faith-based prosperity doctrine. “If only your faith is strong enough, you can be wealthy. If only your faith is strong enough, you may be made well.” Indeed some go as far as scoffing at those who are not wealthy and those who are not well – saying it is because their faith is not strong enough.
What might they say to the apostle Paul? What might we?
Like those along Paul’s journey to Jerusalem, I suppose out of concern we might urge Paul to spare himself. “Don’t go up to Jerusalem, Paul! Paul, don’t go! Nooooooo…..!”
But I admire Paul because of his level of commitment. Paul doesn’t care about danger. Paul doesn’t care about prison. Paul doesn’t care about what men may say about him, or to him. None of those things move him. Paul only cares about one thing: Pleasing God.
It has been said, “All things done for self will pass. Only what is done for Christ will last.” How true that statement is. For the Christian there is only one course, and that course follows right behind Jesus – and as closely as possible. This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. It means we follow Christ, into His love, into His joy, into His peace, into His eternity – and – into His suffering, and ultimately into His death. Even suffering and death did not move Paul. Paul was truly willing to surrender all, if necessary.
- Pastor Bill
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