Finishing the Race


But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24 HCSB

Paul had been on a missionary journey and was returning to Jerusalem. Yet the Holy Spirit forewarned him of what awaited him: chains and imprisonment. Why did he still want to go there? He knew it was all a part of God's plan for him to go to Rome. Paul's eye was fixed on where God was taking him.

Have you ever experienced his position of being fixed in vision? I have. Even though I knew that the next step would hurt I had to take it. Standing up to a bully cost me everything and my world changed in an instant. Yet the time had come to stand up and confront the bully.

Today I live a different life but a life where I choose not to be bullied. Paul on the other hand was freely giving up his freedom and willingly going to prison and chains for the sake of the gospel. However, Paul was empowered by the Holy Spirit, captive to His will.

In the next phase of his life Paul would write all the precious letters we now have, the Epistles that we pour over and glean Paul's understanding of Christ and the gospel. I, for one, am grateful Paul chose to obey and go into this next step. Paul's lack of freedom gives me freedom. Paul's chains gives me liberty. I am truely grateful to Paul. Amen! The gospel of grace works it's way in me.

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