We all have goals in life. Even the laziest person has some goals. It may be to make it to the next meal, but he still aspires for the future. The Apostle Paul is one of my favorite followers of Jesus Christ. From the time of his conversion until his death, he had one purpose: to finish the race for Christ with Heaven in view. He was what we would call “sold out.” Nothing detracted him from his ultimate goal of serving Jesus with everything in him.
Act 20:24 “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.”
He truly understood what it meant to be fully surrendered to Christ. He wasn’t just trying to make it to Heaven, he was giving everything within him to make the journey count.
He wasn’t afraid of what man could do to him because he was sure of his destination. I think sometimes Paul hoped God would take him home. That is why he could say with a pure conscience that for me to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
How could he feel that way with such certainty? Because of the first half of that verse. He lived, really lived, for Christ! There was no halfway doing things with Paul. It didn’t matter what others said, how tired he was, or if someone else had another plan. He was determined. As he stated in Acts 20:24, he did not count his life dear unto himself. Why? Because he had a job to do, and he was determined, with the help of God, to do it until the end. Remember, it was Paul who stated in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
What kind of world would we have at this point in history if all Christians lived this way? How many more would there be waiting on the shores of glory to greet us? Would we in America see the slaughter of innocent babies? Would the divorce rate be at a rate of 50% of all marriages? How about the issue of homosexuality, transgender, freedom to speak anywhere, at any time, about salvation through Jesus? These are only a few of the problems that plague our country, and the baseline is sin.
I submit to you that if all Christians had the same desires and viewpoints as Paul, our country and our world would not be in the state of depravity that it now embraces.
All we can do about the past is ask God to forgive us, but we can do our part to change the future. We can live sold-out totally for Christ. Searching constantly for ways to get a word in for Christ and promote His laws and His love. We can make a difference. We may not be able to turn back the clock on the failures we have allowed, we will not eradicate sin, but we can take a stand now! Think about the witness you would have if people planned gatherings on Sundays and you explained you couldn’t come because it would cause you to miss church services! Our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are at stake!
Pray, speak, vote, and live a consistent Christian life. Live so there is no doubt in anyone’s mind where you stand and who you stand for! So that on your deathbed, these words apply to you!
II Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
