THE KING’S BUSINESS
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laying them down '(Phil. 2:17). As,regards himself Paul had but one ambition, to , accomplish his course, i.e., the course that God had set before him, and to accomplish (perfect, or complete) the ministry which he had received not from men, but from the Lord Jesus, that ministry being to testify the gospel of the grace of God. “The gospel of the grace of God” means the good news that announces God’s free, unmerited, favor to all sinners without any desert of their own, based upon the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. In writing to the bishop of this same church at a later date Paul declares that his ambition to finish his course was fulfilled (2 Tim. 4:7, 8). This all-governing ambition to accomplish the work which he had been given to do, Paul had learned from the Lord Jesus Himself (John 17:4). Paul was confident that this was the last time he would meet these among whom he had been so long preaching the kingdom, therefore he called upon them to witness to his fidelity. He could say, “I am pure from the blood of all men.” Not only could he say it, but they were forced to testify that it was true. Oh, how many there are of us, both ministers and Christians, who cannot say that (cf. Ezek. 3:18; 33:3-9). No man can say it truly except he has done every thing that lies in his power to save others from their sins and their consequences. If one has neglected a single opportunity of saying a word that would have led another to Christ, he cannot say, “I am pure from the blood of all men.” But Paul could >say it. The reason why he could say it was because he 'had not shrank from “declaring the whole account of God.” The one who holds back any part of God’s counsel because it is not pleasaht, or welcome to his hearers, or ' because it would make him unpopular to declare it, cannot say, “I am pure from the blood of all men.” No, on the con trary,- the blood of those to whom he has been unwilling to declare the whole coun sel of God is upon him.1 We will each one of us- do well to ask ourselves whether we
church for all coming ages the Epistles to the Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians. It ¿Iso. gave the church of Christ some of the most glorious pages qf her history. But while the Holy Spirit led Paul on, He also frankly told the faithful servant what lay ahead. In every' city, through a variety of agents, He testified to Paul that bonds and afflictions awaited him. There are many today who seek God s guidance by asking God to “remove all obstacles” if it be His will that they go a certain way, and they take the fact that obstacles are removed as a certain indication that God wills that they go that way, and if obstacles are' not removed they take it as an indication that it is not God’s will that they go that way. But it is clear from this verse that God sometimes guides by putting obstacles in the way, rather than by removing obstacles from the way. It is by no means sure that the apparently open way, the easy path, is always a Divine path. God would not always have His servants take the path “of least resistance.” A faithful servant o ft Christ may .always expect hardships (2 Tim. 3:12). We might rather distrust a way that is made too easy, than be sure that it is His way. Our Master’s way led through Gethsemane and up to Calvary, and He has told us plainly fhat we must take that way too if we would follow Him (Matt. 16:24). But the way of suffering, the way of the cross, is the best way after all (2 Tim. 2:12; Rom. 8:18; Acts 14:22; 2 Cor. 4:17). Sunday, March 25 - A cts 20:24-27- Here we have Paul’s answer to the Holy Spirit’s warnings of peril ahead, I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself.” Mfhat words these are for this easy-going and self-sparing age. There are many modern preachers and teachers who would live to be Pauls, but these words tell us how to be Pauls, i.e., by yielding our lives unto Him absolutely, and holding them of no account whatever, only as use ful unto Him, and if they can be of more use to Him by being laid down, then
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