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by Kevin Pauley
But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace. - Acts 20:24 HCSB
Paul learned to put God first in his life. At the end of his life, when he had faced the fiery trials and tests of his long and profitable service to the Lord, his final testimony was, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. In the future, there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.”[1] I can only pray that I am as steadfast and unmovable in my own walk with the Lord as Paul was.
Christ must increase and we must decrease[2]. We may never receive the praise of men for our work in the Lord, but that’s part of the blessing. We will receive our reward for our steadfast, unmovable faith when we get to Heaven. I believe that the reward we receive in that day will be worth it all, don’t you?
In a culture that emphasizes self-worth, self-value and self-esteem, why do I give this message? It is because we are to encourage one another daily while we still can so that sin’s deceptive message won’t harden our hearts. In a religious world that teaches that a one-time decision to follow Christ is sufficient and that we can live like the devil after that if we so choose, I say that we only demonstrate that we have become companions of the Messiah if we hold firmly to the scriptural truths until the very end.[3] We must practice emunah (lives characterized by steady faith) and tsedekah (right living).[4]
I say these words as a message of exhortation to each of you.
- Take hold of the Word of God, your sure guide[5].
- Hold on to Jesus, your sure foundation[6].
- Don’t allow the tests and trials of life to draw you off course.
- Don’t allow the deceitfulness of sin to make you doubt God’s power to deliver you and bring you through victoriously.
We are the heirs of salvation! We are heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ![7] If we will be steadfast and unmovable in our faith in Christ, the reward of Heaven awaits and it won’t be long until we see Jesus face to face.
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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