“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 20:24).

I had an interesting experience this past weekend, something unexpected and unplanned. It spoke to my heart and reminded me of the verse cited above. Let me explain.

On Saturday afternoon Ruth and I took two of our grandchildren swimming at the Y. After we were done, my grandson and I were sitting outside the weight room as we waited for the others to finish changing. As we were sitting there, I watched an elderly gentleman, easily in his 80s, climb the stairs. He had a tough time doing so. He walked over to the door of the weight room, near where we were sitting. Quite spontaneously we made eye contact and he said to me, “Young man, never give up; you can’t afford to quit.” I watched him struggle a bit to get the door open. I watched him as he sat at one of the machines and how he strained to push the weights a fraction of the distance the exercise machine would permit.

Can I tell you; I don’t know this gentleman, but his words and his actions spoke to me on a deep level. Simply put, he refuses to allow the infirmities of age get in the way of doing what he can to remain active and vibrant. I got to wondering if we as followers of Jesus Christ maintain the same attitude toward the spiritual activities and pursuits God calls us to.

Here is how this applies to you and to me. I talk with far too many tired Christians. I am referring to believers in Jesus Christ who feel they are too busy, too tired, too stretched, too fragile or too fatigued to model what Paul said in Acts 20:24; “If only I may finish my course.” 

Now to be sure, there are not many like Paul among us. I am aware of that. Yet all of us have been given salvation for a purpose, and that purpose is to magnify the name of Jesus Christ as we speak his name to those who are headed to an eternity separated from God. In that light, there is simply no place in God’s economy to coast, to retire or to slack off. No matter how much you have been involved in ministry, served the church or reached out to those in need, there is no place to retire. In that light, I must ask you to examine the degree to which you are committed to “finishing your course.”

My friend at the Y was limited in what he could do, but he never stopped trying. I watched him as he strained at the weight machine. Friends, his comment “Never give up; can’t afford to quit” applies to all of us, but particularly to those to whom the gift of eternal life has been given. Have you given up or are you committed to finishing your course?

“They received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

The 17th chapter of the book of Acts portrays the stunning difference between two groups of people. One group was intent on maintaining their traditions, while the other group was intent on seeking the truth. There is a difference. Let me explain.

Acts chapter 17 describes two locations that Paul visited, following his stay in Philippi, where he saw the birth of the first church in Europe. After he left Philippi, his first stop was in Thessalonica. As was his custom, he entered the synagogue and “reasoned with them from the scriptures.” The text tells us that some became Christians, along with a great many Greeks and “leading women.” Shortly after that, we learn that “the Jews were jealous and formed a mob.”  As a result of the uproar they caused, Paul and Silas were forced to flee the city.

After fleeing from Thessalonica, they travelled to Berea where they repeated their pattern of attending the synagogue. The text tells us in verse 11 that “these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” What a contrast between how the Jews responded in Thessalonica compared to how they responded in Berea! Paul used the scriptures in Thessalonica, but was rejected. In Berea, they examined the scriptures daily to verify the truth of what Paul was saying.

Now you may be wondering how this applies to us in our day. Well, it should come as no surprise to you that we are just as tradition bound as were the Jews in Thessalonica. You see, they were more interested in maintaining tradition than in seeking the truth. I see examples of this all around.

Two weeks ago, I received a call from a person new to Wausau. They had several questions about the church and what our Sunday services include. This individual was quite direct and forthcoming in expressing their concern that we do not incorporate several things into our Sunday services that they had been accustomed to in their previous church. When I asked why they felt so strongly about the practices they were accustomed to, it became apparent that tradition was the driving force, tradition as opposed to examining the scriptures to determine if such practices were truly edifying or not. We had an interesting conversation to say the least. I concluded by suggesting that there are likely other churches in town that might be a better fit.

Was I wrong? I think not. You see no matter our preferences or the traditions we have become accustomed to, as followers of Christ we must always adopt the posture of the Berean Jews who “received the word with all eagerness, and examined the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Truth as opposed to tradition is always the safe path, would you agree?

“I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent” (Revelation 2:21).

The words “repent” or “repentance” appears a total of 55 times in the Old and New Testament combined. When the Hebrew and the Greek meanings are united, the words mean to change one’s mind, to turn back from or to return to something. Thus, to repent signifies a change of mind and a change in direction. In the context of the verse cited above, the text is telling the church in Thyatira that it’s tolerance of false teaching and sinful behavior is something from which it must repent. It must stop thinking and acting in a sinful manner.

I believe that the definition of repentance and the example given in the book of Revelation have immediate and direct implications for each of us. Let me explain what I mean. Seldom a week goes by that I don’t sit with someone who regrets words, actions and thoughts that grieve them and from which they desire to repent. In some instances, the stories they share represent life-long struggles with certain issues that represent sin in their lives. Now the good news is that their awareness of the sin and the degree to which they regret it signifies that their conscience has not become hardened or callous toward what they know to be right. The bad news is that they have not been able to repent and break free from the thoughts and actions that have been troubling them for so long.

Now apply that to the verse cited above. It appears that God is longsuffering and patient toward us when we are entangled in a pattern of sin from which we know we should repent. The verse makes that clear as John wrote; “I gave her time to repent.” However, we must never take the patience and mercy of God for granted. From cover to cover the Bible tells us that God hates sin and will act against those who refuse to repent. Later in the same chapter John wrote; “I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.” Thus, God is indeed patient toward our sin; yet his patience must never be taken for granted. That’s a very dangerous place to be.

How then does this become practical for us? Well, it’s hard for me to imagine that of the hundreds of you reading this, there are not some for whom the issue of repentance is very troubling. You know that God has been prompting you to turn back, to change your mind about something. Yet it has not happened yet. Friends, that’s a double danger. First, the sin continues; and second, you are trashing the mercy and patience of God. Frankly, I’m fearful on your behalf. What to do?

Well, in another place John wrote; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…” In that light, the first step is confession. Get clean before God. Once so cleansed, the next step is to ask God to grant you the desire to turn from that which you know to be wrong.  Tell someone if need be. Solicit the support of a close friend. Then by God’s grace, (step by step) take the necessary actions to remove yourself from the patterns of thought and behaviors that you have just confessed to be sin. God is faithful and will grant you all you need to stay strong in that regard. Later on John wrote; “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Sprit says…”  I wonder. Are you listening?

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” (Colossians 1:11).

Life was hard in Paul’s day. The “modern conveniences” we enjoy were nonexistent in the first century world. Added to the daily struggles they faced were the additional hostilities they endured as followers of Christ. After all, embracing the teaching of a dead man, one who was crucified, came at a high cost. In contrast, we live in a pluralistic society, one in which everything is generally accepted as long we give equal tolerance to the views of others. Such was not the case for them.

It’s in that light that I am struck by the multiple times the Apostle Paul sought to “strengthen” those to whom he ministered. We see examples of this throughout the books and letters he wrote. But what caught my attention in the passage cited above is his focus on “endurance and patience with joy.” Let me explain what I mean.

The need to endure and be patient is generally associated with something unpleasant. We endure illness, hard times and the like. It’s necessary for us to have patience when things don’t go our way or when we must bear with something we dislike. So in general, the need for endurance and patience becomes necessary when something is not going as we would prefer. That’s an easy enough thing to understand.

But note in particular the way in which Paul linked patience and endurance with joy. From his perspective, endurance and patience should not come at the expense of joy. In other words, joy is possible during seasons of endurance and patience. It’s in that light that his words speak to each of us. Let me explain what I mean.

A good part of my week is spent interacting with you. As you share your prayer requests, as well as your hurts and sorrows, there is often a need for patience and endurance. That goes without saying. But what I have learned in many instances is that joy need not be sacrificed in the midst of the daily trials and challenges we face. How is that accomplished?

Well, it becomes a matter of focus I believe. One can focus on the reasons why endurance is called for, or on the reality of God’s promises and the deep trust they create. You see, whatever we are enduring at any given moment does not compare with the certainty of God’s promises and the trust that flows from them. So if you find yourself needing endurance and patience, the thing to do is to direct your attention to God’s many promises. As you do so, I’m certain that your joy will be restored. Try it. It works. Patience and endurance with joy is possible!