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23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But 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.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. (Acts 20:22-25)
Paul was a true man of God. He stood in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds on many occasions. He loved God. He loved God's people.
Any way that he could find that did not break scripture to reach out to people, he was willing to give it a try.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Corinthians 9: 18-22)
What an attitude!
In our opening passage in Acts, if you follow the story over several chapters, Paul had been told by God that he was being sent on a mission to the gentiles to bring them into the fold. As such, the Jews (who were already angry at his conversion) were ready to kill him for trying to convert the Gentiles to worshipping the one true God. This did not sit well with "God's chosen people."
But Paul had heard from God. In fact, early on, he was told "how great things he must suffer for my names sake." (Acts 9:16).
Paul knew that Jesus had given his all for us. He also knew that, in following Jesus, we must give our all to him. No matter the sacrifice. No matter the cost. If we go broke, that's okay. If we are beaten and imprisoned, that's fine. If we die, thy will be done, Lord.
Whatever level of our lives we are dealing with, ALL levels must be submitted to God.
We cannot serve Jesus on Sundays and Wednesdays, but the rest of the time is ours. It doesn't work that way.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
We don't get to choose ANYTHING! Our job as Christians is to do 3 things:
1) Listen (Pray and seek his will) 2) Hear (Find his will) 3) Obey (DO what his will is for all situations.)
We don't belong to ourselves. We are his.
As Christian leaders, we are to seek out a fresh word for those we minister to. We cannot just regurgitate a sermon from years ago. Those we are helping to feed deserve (and God requires) fresh manna from heaven.
As husbands and fathers, we are to seek God in all situations and be willing to sacrifice ourselves (lay down our lives) for them in every way. It doesn't matter how hard I have to work to care for my family. It doesn't matter how many hours I have to work, how many jobs I have to do, to care for my family. They are my family and my responsibility. It is all a labor of love. And this doesn't negate my responsibility as spiritual leader of the home.
God spoke to Paul about much of what he would have to suffer. In fact, on several occasions, he was told by different people that if he went to Jerusalem, he'd wind up in chains. But, Paul was trying to be used of God to win the bride of Jesus. "None of these things move me," he said.
Jesus paid his all for his bride. Paul was willing to join him on his quest. We should be willing to die in caring for our bride and in trying to win the bride of Christ.
When Jesus gives us a mission, we will be tested. Many times, things will come up that point out the possible negative effects of staying the course. When we come to those crossroads, we have a choice.
Do we stay the course and suffer the affliction that may come, knowing that we are in the will of God. Or, do we leave the course and choose "the easy way." The easy way won't take us to heaven, but we can choose it. The easy way means to cater to our flesh and disavow our mission from God. The easy way may make it easier to live here, but it means hell for eternity.
May we all take Paul's attitude when we are looking at the possible consequences of launching out in faith for Jesus. May we look at them, shrug our shoulders, and say, "None of these things move me."
None of these things will sway me from the course that Jesus has set for me.
