An Awesome Race with an Awesome Finish!

In this verse we see the apostle explaining to the elders in Ephesus that he is in a race that is full of adversity and trials. But he says it is not about his comforts and convenience. The gospel will not be well received by the world (that you can count on!); but to those who are appointed to salvation your testimony to the gospel of grace of God will be a welcomed balm of healing and everlasting joy in Jesus Christ . . . not only for the person who has responded with a repentant heart and faith in Jesus Christ, resting in one atoning work on the cross for the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, salvation and everlasting life, but also for you as you give a faithful and good testimony of God’s goodness and grace through Jesus Christ. No amount of pain and suffering can destroy that joy, when we eagerly serve the Lord with our whole heart looking to the finish line: when the last of God’s Elect embraces the salvation that belong him or her by faith alone in Christ alone; and Christ returns again, transforming our bodies from mortal to immortality and corruptible to incorruptible so all who have been saved will with body and soul live eternally in blessedness to the glory and praise of God in the new heavens and the new earth. Are you running the race in your life testifying to those around you the gospel of the grace of God?  As it says in Romans Chapter 12, it is our “reasonable service” to Him who has justified us and made us acceptable in the sight of God by the shedding of His precious blood. The race is not a competition, but a duty of love for God and for our neighbor . . . and it’s all to the glory of God! Soli Deo Gloria!