sokin's devotional 83 - Paul's joy
And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:23,24
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The Apostle Paul didn't know much of what was to come in his life, except that imprisonment and afflictions were waiting for him wherever he went.
Yet, he went.
Why? Or more interestingly, how?
He wasn't suicidal, as if he reveled in the thought of dying and going through hardship.
He wasn't a masochist, enjoying the pain of affliction.
Philippians 3:8 gives us an idea of how Paul was able to live like this:
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.
Paul's treasure and greatest joy came not from this world, but from knowing Christ.
Knowing Christ. Savoring Christ. Loving Jesus. This gave him all the ability to endure hardship and affliction knowing that his reward could not be taken from him.
How am I living/walking in this truth today?
Acts 20:23,24
---
The Apostle Paul didn't know much of what was to come in his life, except that imprisonment and afflictions were waiting for him wherever he went.
Yet, he went.
Why? Or more interestingly, how?
He wasn't suicidal, as if he reveled in the thought of dying and going through hardship.
He wasn't a masochist, enjoying the pain of affliction.
Philippians 3:8 gives us an idea of how Paul was able to live like this:
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish in order that I may gain Christ.
Paul's treasure and greatest joy came not from this world, but from knowing Christ.
Knowing Christ. Savoring Christ. Loving Jesus. This gave him all the ability to endure hardship and affliction knowing that his reward could not be taken from him.
How am I living/walking in this truth today?
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