Acts Chapter 20 – Be Consistently Resolved to Finish Your Race with Joy
Much can be unpacked and discussed in this chapter, but one of the parallels that can be drawn across the breadth of the content of Paul’s epistles, very much likened to a life motto of sorts – to Paul, Christian life is both a fight and a race (a marathon) towards Christ’s standard, towards a heavenly kingdom.
Throughout Paul’s missionary journeys, he never failed to work and serve with boldness, continually expressing his deep love and gratitude towards fellow brethren. He esteemed his charge from God, the word of God, and the movement of the Holy Spirit, above all else.
Paul reassures and urges:
Nothing in this world, while we are confined by the limitations of our physical bodies, should have any power to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8: 35-39). Nothing in this world, regardless of how life-threatening, should break our spirit and fervour for God, as we should “neither count (our) li(ves) dear unto (ourselves), so that (we) might (each) finish (our) course with joy, and the ministry, which (we) receive of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20: 24).
Ah, does not this life we should lead for God sound like a romantic tragedy?
Often times, after reading and reflecting on Paul’s convictions, I myself am convicted, but then only enough to last a sprint or two. It truly is strange and frustrating that I can, all at once, under and overestimate the extent of my own self-discipline and self-control.
But perhaps this struggle with self is what makes being a Christian worthwhile, is what makes us Christians.
Following Paul’s ‘fight and race’ analogy, fighters or athletes all join tournaments/matches/races to win. In order to do so, they put in years of training, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually preparing themselves for whatever they know (or do not know) they are up against.
They train daily to better their stamina (somehow simultaneously keeping it consistent), not lose the muscles they’ve so painstakingly built/put on for themselves. At each training session, they find ways to improve, to push beyond their personal best(s).
Ask fighters or athletes what drives them and they will inspire you with well thought out quotes like ‘I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit, suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion.’, ‘Just keep going. Everybody gets better if they keep at it.’, ‘The pain you feel today will be the strength you feel tomorrow.’ And the list goes on.
How can all this be applicable to us Christians?
Take all the aforementioned and subject it to the requirements of living a life for God. The main differences are (1) that the source of our resolve and strength to work and serve for God is from God Himself, in the form of His Holy Spirit, (2) the duration of our fight/race is unlike the momentary opportune window of most fighters or athletes, but from the moment God includes us to the end of our lives (perhaps even in the next life God has prepared for us), (3) our end goal and the joy that follows is not of anything this world can ever give. As such, it is apparent that our fight for/race towards God and His kingdom is far more trying than that of fighters or athletes.
What then, can we say to these things?
Let us do what we can while we can to imitate Paul as he imitates Christ. Our glory is in our weaknesses and tribulations for we know that therein lies our hope (Romans 5: 3-4). We move only in one direction, forward and upward, nothing, no weight and no one holding or slowing us down (Philippians 3: 12-14). We take heart and keep the faith, all whilst fighting the good fight of faith.
All this, albeit always easier said than done, is still what needs to be accomplished, lest we ourselves become disqualified. No matter what and where God wills, may His constant abidance be our fuel, sword and shield.
