\u201cBut 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.\u201d (Act 20:24)
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\nThere are some things that require little effort, and yield small results. Many people content themselves to spend their days in just such trivial pursuit. Will you settle for being one of them?<\/span><\/p>\nF. W. Boreham wrote, \u201cThere is no intellectual stimulant so intoxicating as the formation of a noble purpose, the conception of a sudden resolve, the making of a great decision.\u201d The truly heroic moments in life demand something far more than a casual commitment.<\/p>\n
Such a purpose had gripped Paul\u2019s heart and set him on an unswerving mission that would be met head on with much opposition. His dearest friends, the Ephesians implored him to reconsider his decision to go ahead \u2013 but their appeals could not mount a credible case in the face of his great faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cNone of these things move me,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n
Neither tender appeals from loving friends, nor looming threats from vicious foes would back this man down from testifying to the gospel of the grace of God. Os Guinness wrote, \u201cThe secret of man\u2019s being is not only to live \u2013 but to live for something definite; to find the idea for which one can live\u2026and die.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul knew this firsthand, and standing on the shores of the Aegean Sea ready to sail for Jerusalem, he looked forward in faith to a bad stretch of road \u2013 knowing God\u2019s grace was sufficient for it all.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you\u2019ve been at it for any appreciable length of time then you know by now that this journey with Jesus is no cake walk.<\/p>\n
It is not a stroll through the park on a blissful Sunday afternoon. No. The path has many turns \u2013 up turns and down turns, ditches on both sides, potholes aplenty, and mounds of debris inconveniently strewn all about. There are setbacks that stall you, and obstacles that intimidate you.<\/p>\n
There are bystanders that deride you, backsliders that dismay you, and backstabbers that dishearten you. There are days when you walk with a company of passionate pilgrims who buoy your spirit with renewed aspiration; and then there are the days when you walk the lonesome valley all by yourself. Alone. Sitting in the dark. Eating dog food.<\/p>\n
But God\u2019s grace is sufficient.<\/p>\n
Paul illustrates for us today the four distinguishing traits of a triumphant faith.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 * First, there is conviction of spirit \u2013 \u201cI go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 * Second, there is composure of mind \u2013 \u201cnone of these things move me.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 * Third, there is commitment of heart \u2013 \u201cneither count I my life dear unto myself.\u201d
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 * And, fourth, there is constancy of purpose \u2013 \u201cso that I might finish my course with joy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul was an immovable man; unflinching and full of courage. It was he who said, \u201cbe not weary in well doing: in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.\u201d It was Paul who constantly cheered others on their journey \u2013 \u201cTherefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord\u201d (1 Co.15:58).<\/p>\n
And it is Paul who by his own example inspires us today to \u201ctestify the gospel of the grace of God.\u201d<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s go. <\/p><\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cBut 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.\u201d (Act 20:24) \u00a0 There are some things that require little effort, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1596,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ricciardelli"],"yoast_head":"\n
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