Finishing Well

Acts 20.17-38

        As Paul was completing his third missionary journey, he stayed at Miletus and sent for the Ephesian elders to come to him, before setting sail for Jerusalem. Having spent much time with them in the past, he once more wanted to encourage them to stand fast on the Word of God and not be swayed to proclaim any other Gospel than that of Jesus Christ. In going to Jerusalem, he knew he would face imprisonment and persecution; he knew this would be the last time he would see these Ephesian elders. In urging them to move forward, he reminded them of his mission and how he viewed his life. But I do not count my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20.24). Paul did not consider his safety and comfort to be of utmost importance. Rather, his goal was to finish life well; to complete the ministry the Lord had given him to do; to live in a manner which would please the Lord. Life was not about him and what he attained; he reckoned his life to be about Christ, and living for Him.

        We can become caught up with the things around us; the comforts and pleasures of life can, at times, be consuming; our activities, though there is nothing inherently wrong with them, can devour the greater amount of our time. Our focus can be lost, as we seek the next thing to bring us momentary satisfaction. May we stop and consider the true value of our lives. We have been redeemed by our Lord to be an instrument in His hands, for His glory; we have been set apart by the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be a witness of Jesus Christ in all things and at all times. Like Paul, may our goal be to end well; to complete the work the Lord has given us to do; to honor and glorify His Name above all else. May the Lord’s redemptive purpose in us be also our purpose, goal, and desire.

Living for Christ – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry