June 22, 2022 – Wednesday
Acts 20:24 NIV
24 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.
Comments
In the verse above Paul is speaking. Some context is provided in the three preceding verses, 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. He has taught everyone what we teach today, turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. He is in the city of Miletus but is compelled to go to Jerusalem by the Spirit. And the warning from the Holy Spirit will come true, he will be arrested in Jerusalem.
Still, even with this in his future he said, 24 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. The word grace here is once again from Strong’s 5485 xáris, with the HELPS Word-studies telling us that it, answers directly to the Hebrew (OT) term 2580/Kaná (“grace, extension-toward”). Both refer to God freely extending Himself (His favor, grace), reaching (inclining) to people because He is disposed to bless (be near) them. And a bit earlier, (xáris) is preeminently used of the Lord’s favor – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is “always leaning toward them”). This is amazing as God is not only wanting to grant us favor – grace – but is always leaning toward us to grant us grace if we will but accept it by turning to God in repentance and having faith in our Lord Jesus.
The Pulpit Commentary says about Paul’s declaration; 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, that The essential feature of the gospel is its declaration of God’s free grace to a guilty world, forgiving sins, and imputing righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. The distinctive work of the ministry is to declare that grace. So St. Paul describes his own ministry, and the record of his ministry in the Acts and in his Epistles exactly agrees with this description. Absolutely.
We may get discouraged from time to time as our world today seems so intent on rejecting God’s grace, but it is no worse than the time Paul and the Apostles lived through along with many other who shared the gospel. Our goal should be the same as Paul’s, to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given each and every one of us. Not sure what that task is? Consider what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:20, We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. We too, in our day to day lives, are Christ’s ambassadors. Are we letting Him make His appeal through us? Are we encouraging others on Christ’s behalf to be reconciled to God?
Bottom Line: We know what our task is, to encourage others to be reconciled to God on Christ’s behalf. Ask yourself how you are doing with this one very important task?
Prayer: Almighty God, Give us the spiritual strength to keep focused on the task of being Christ’s ambassadors in this terribly fallen world. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pa-stor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek