Friday, June 24, 2016

Acts 20:22

Acts 20:22 says, And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:  Paul said that he was bound in the Spirit, or compelled by the Spirit, to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what would happen to him there.  Verse twenty-three adds, Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me   Paul then said that the Holy Spirit Who witnessed in every city told him that he would have bonds and afflictions waiting for him there.  How many of us would be in a hurry to go where God was sending us if we were told continually by the Holy Spirit that bonds and afflictions waited for us there?  Verse twenty-four continues, 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.  Paul said none of these things moved him, and he didn't count his life dear to himself. His life belonged to Jesus, and he would follow His leadership even if it cost him his life.  We need that same commitment today.  Sharing the gospel under the leadership of the Holy Spirit should be more important than even our life.  We need total commitment to Christ. Paul wanted to finish his course with joy.  Even with the bonds and afflictions that awaited him, he wanted to finish his course with joy.  The gospel should always bring us joy, even if we are called on to suffer or even die sharing it.  Paul's ministry was from the Lord Jesus.  Paul was not just going where he wanted to go.  He was going where God sent him.  Our ministry, our purpose in the church, must be from God.  We must never just decide what we will or won't do.  Paul did this to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  He didn't earn salvation, but it was a gift from God by His grace toward mankind.  The same is true for us.  We are His by His grace and our acceptance of the gift of salvation through our faith in Him.  Verse twenty-five concludes, And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.  Paul says a personal farewell to the elders at Ephesus.  He said that among them all, among whom he had preached the kingdom of God, would see his face no more.  He knew where he was going and what he faced.  We can never let feelings for a particular church or group of Christians keep us from going where God sends us.  




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