DEVOTIONAL But I do not consider life of account as dear

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24 NASBS

THE REFUGE

The apostle Paul was a man whom The Lord set forth, by a divine calling, to declare the glory of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to the Gentiles. He journeyed throughout this land, under Roman oppression, planting churches in these hostile environments. He was an astute man with the highest of all credentials, a Pharisee who had been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, one who was trained in the scriptures like no one else. After he was awakened to the state of His eternal condition, he devoted his life to the service of Jesus Christ. After several missionary journeys, enduring much persecution and rejection, Paul found himself in the city of Ephesus. The city of Ephesus was the center of pagan worship. It was known by a world-renowned temple, “Artemis of the Ephesians.” For three months he entered into the synagogues reasoning and persuading anyone who would listen to him to turn from the pagan god’s and put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul would labor daily for over two years in the school of Tyrannus. Though people spoke evil of him, he did not lose heart, but through consistency, the Gospel of Jesus Christ would spread throughout the land. Paul’s labor in Ephesus was not in vain, for The Holy Spirit was drawing many into the kingdom of God through grace. Those who were called by The Lord to this great salvation turned from their idols to serve the true and living God. Many who practiced magic brought their books together burning them in the sight of everyone. As Paul was leading this area to travel back to Jerusalem, it was said that suffering, persecution and imprisonment awaited him. So the people pleaded for him not to leave, but Paul told them, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”

May the faithfulness of Paul’s life be an example to every believer who acknowledges Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We live in a time much like Paul, but the idols are not statues with engraved images. No, they are idols that have crept into households under the covering of pornography, cellphone abuse, ungodly music, alcohol, illegal substances, and any other thing that consumes the human mind above the worship of The Lord. James warns us in his letter to some persecuted Christians, “Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”

Many of these idols have infiltrated the ranks of our church. They lie hidden in the hearts of believers we see every Sunday and Wednesday. The afflictions of sin have pierced their minds, and they have fallen into bondage. They covered their inward shame with a smile, all the more longing to be set free from this slavery. Come now saints of God, rise and attack these idols with holy violence, do not lay down and be taken captive any longer. Christ has been raised from the dead and sin, death and hell are defeated. Say as Paul, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” Rest assured valiant warrior, if these idols are not destroyed in our own lives; then we will see the younger generation continue to perish in moral decay that will eventually remove biblical Christianity from our culture.