Saturday, July 15, 2017

Finish the Race with Joy

Acts 20:22-25 
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.  25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

Paul went to a certain encounter (as God kept telling him) with those who would put him in jail, but even knowing that, he went joyfully.  The tribulations he faced made him see that the surpassing glory of the work of the gospel pushed him on to race towards Jesus and His grace.  So Paul told his companions they would never see him again as he ran toward the glory of God in Christ.  All else he counted as dung, as worthless and unsatisfying.  Do we have an eternal perspective of the hope we bear witness to?

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