Not Moving

Acts 20:24 “None of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Paul told us how he finished the race the Lord gave him to run. Paul was tasked with a ministry of reaching the Gentiles with the grace of God, and he did just that. How did he do it?

First, he didn’t let anything move him from the plan or the course that God had set before him. When you think about Paul’s life and ministry, that should make us go, WOW! Everywhere he went, he caused a revival and a riot. There was nothing easy about the course he had to run. The Lord warned him in the beginning and throughout his ministry that bonds and afflictions awaited him, but he did not allow any of those things to move him from his course. He could have said, “This is just too much,” and been like his companion Demas, who was drawn away by the comfort of this present world.

So, what do we need to learn from this? That everything God gives us may not be easy. I am very concerned about people who only want to obey God if it’s easy, convenient, or fits into their current life and schedule. With God, everything is not 40 hours a week at a prime rate with all the bonuses coming up front. It takes faith to follow Him. Faith is the only thing that pleases Him, which He will always reward greatly (exceedingly, abundantly, and above), but it is usually not up front. If Paul were around today, I think he would be appalled at believers.

Second, Paul did not count his life dear. In other words, every day he was willing to risk his life. You might think that is too much for God to ask of you. He probably isn’t asking you to risk your life for the gospel every day, but He is asking that every day, with your life, you do what He is asking. Nothing more, but also nothing less.

The third thing I see is this. Paul finished his course with joy. If we are going to make it to the finish line, we need joy. Why? The joy of the Lord is our strength. Joy and strength go together. You need stamina and strength to finish your course. It is easy to start. Anyone can start, but it takes strength to finish. Maintain your joy throughout your journey and stay full of the Word. I found His Word, and I did eat it; it was the joy and rejoicing of my soul. The Word of God is the power bar that produces joy so you can finish your course.

If we do these three things, we too will finish our course and hear, “Well done!”