VERSE OF THE DAY
Acts 20:24 (New Living Translation)
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But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
Our live are worthless without the law of the lord he offers the relationship and give us each a plan he tells us to speak his name to others sharing the good news of his work in our lives each of us is born with an assignment and given purpose
I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me — the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Related Topics: Jesus, God, Grace, Lord, Life, Finish, Race, All Topics…
Thoughts on Today’s Verse…
How important is grace? Paul said that telling about that grace was more important to him than his life! In fact, that was his life after his conversion to Jesus!
My Prayer…
Almighty God, Holy Father, thank you for your lavish grace demonstrated and fully expressed in sending Jesus to die for me. As your child, and in thanks to your sacrificial gift, I pledge to you my life, my love, and my all. Through Jesus. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today’s Verse are written by Phil Ware. You can email questions or comments to phil@verseoftheday.com.
What does Acts 20:24 mean?
In Miletus, Paul is speaking with the elders of the Ephesian church. He has already told them that the Holy Spirit compels him to return to Jerusalem even though persecution awaits him there. Here, he explains why he is so willing to obey.
Paul doesn’t know what will happen in Jerusalem other than imprisonment. In the past, however, he did not turn away from conflict if he thought it would serve Jesus’ purposes—in Ephesus, he tried to preach the gospel to a mob that had formed in opposition to his work and taken two of his companions (Acts 19:30). In Jerusalem, he will try to share his faith in Jesus, both with the mob that attacks him and with the Sanhedrin (Acts 21:37—22:21). Later, he will boldly tell his story to Herod Agrippa II and Bernice (Acts 26:1–32).
Paul also explains his dedication in his letters. He believes his discipline will result in a lasting reward—the salvation of others (1 Corinthians 9:22–27). He knows his life is fragile, and he’s already been stoned once (Acts 14:19), but he dedicates that fragility to show others Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:7–12). Later, he will tell Timothy he is a drink offering, poured out for others (2 Timothy 4:6).
The ministry Jesus gave Paul is to bring Jesus’ offering of forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God to the Gentiles, to kings and rulers, and to the Jews (Acts 9:15). This is the gospel—the “good news”—of the grace that God offers sinners: that Jesus came, took accountability for our sins, died in our place, and rose glorified so that we, too, may be resurrected, glorified, and cleansed of our sins. To Paul, his life is nothing compared to the mission of sharing this message.
Context Summary
In Acts 20:17–27, Paul begins his farewell to the elders of Ephesus. He and his team leave Troas and sail to Miletus, south of Ephesus, where Paul requests the Ephesian elders meet him. He reminds them how he served with dedication and self-sacrifice, and he also relays disturbing news. When he gets to Jerusalem, he will be imprisoned, and they will never see him again. Next, he will challenge them to protect their church from false teachers and to emulate his humble leadership (Acts 20:28–35).
Chapter Summary
Acts 20 finishes Paul’s third missionary journey. He leaves Ephesus after three years and travels to Macedonia and Corinth. Threats from the Corinthian Jews send him and his team back to Macedonia and Troas. In Troas, Paul gives a very long sermon and raises Eutychus from the dead after he falls—both asleep and out a window. In Miletus, Paul meets with the Ephesian elders. He reminds them to beware of false teachers and tells them he is going to be imprisoned and will not see them again. After a tearful farewell, he boards a ship for Judea
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Living Water Ministries 