Acts 21:11-13 “…Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’”
Meditating even briefly on Paul’s words leads us to conclude that his heart must be ours also if we acknowledge that God’s call upon our lives is a course we must finish. Thankfully, His call is not complicated. Do the will of God right now, today, with the opportunities He provides, then repeat tomorrow and the next day and the next, and we will live for His glory.
The great apostle lived full-force for the gospel. Yet, the funny thing is, he saw himself as weak and infirm. Hard-won battles and difficult circumstances brought him to his knees and kept him there. Paul’s physical presence amounted to nothing in the world’s eyes, yet he wanted to see souls set free from the strongholds of Satan and hearts redeemed unto salvation, and God used him powerfully.
But it makes me wonder, did others live vicariously through Paul so that they didn’t need to have the same level of commitment? I hope not, because that is not Christianity. You cannot live your faith through others.
What if you, like Paul, knew that you’d be beaten, stoned, and arrested, and eventually lose your head? Would you stay the course? You would if you concluded it was for God’s glory and His kingdom. Focus changes everything.
Remember, dear saint, you are not going to the grave. You are going to heaven! Until then, live out your faith with abandon and change your world.
– Pastor Jack
Click here to read all of Jack Hibbs’ Weekly Devotionals at Real Life with Jack Hibbs.
