December 2
Acts 20:13-21:36
Give your life to Jesus and everything will be perfect. You may have heard someone claim this, but, though everyone should give their lives to Christ, it will not necessarily fix all the brokenness in our lives or the fallen state of the world. Paul's dedication to Christ only led to increased suffering for him. We saw in 2 Corinthians that his ministry was marked by hunger, shipwrecks, beatings, and untold other difficulties. Paul knows that these hardships will continue but describes his mindset in approaching suffering in Acts 20:24. He says, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
Paul does not focus on the difficulties but on the faithfulness of God. He wants to end his life with a commitment to obedience. He has been called to share the gospel (as we have) and he wants to be faithful, regardless of the shortterm hardship, pain, or suffering this may bring. He is willing to go to Jerusalem knowing that imprisonment awaits him. Why? Because he knows the joy that is found in obedience to Christ supersedes any difficulty the world can throw at him. So when we give our lives to Christ, it may only make our lives more difficult, but what it gives is peace and joy today, and the hope of eternity with God. So placing our faith in Christ is always worth it.
Father God, help me to walk in obedience to you no matter what the short-term hardship may bring. Amen.
How can you embrace the mindset that God's joy is greater than any suffering?
Give your life to Jesus and everything will be perfect. You may have heard someone claim this, but, though everyone should give their lives to Christ, it will not necessarily fix all the brokenness in our lives or the fallen state of the world. Paul's dedication to Christ only led to increased suffering for him. We saw in 2 Corinthians that his ministry was marked by hunger, shipwrecks, beatings, and untold other difficulties. Paul knows that these hardships will continue but describes his mindset in approaching suffering in Acts 20:24. He says, "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
Paul does not focus on the difficulties but on the faithfulness of God. He wants to end his life with a commitment to obedience. He has been called to share the gospel (as we have) and he wants to be faithful, regardless of the shortterm hardship, pain, or suffering this may bring. He is willing to go to Jerusalem knowing that imprisonment awaits him. Why? Because he knows the joy that is found in obedience to Christ supersedes any difficulty the world can throw at him. So when we give our lives to Christ, it may only make our lives more difficult, but what it gives is peace and joy today, and the hope of eternity with God. So placing our faith in Christ is always worth it.
Father God, help me to walk in obedience to you no matter what the short-term hardship may bring. Amen.
How can you embrace the mindset that God's joy is greater than any suffering?
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