But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself.
Paul’s devotedness to his work
We note here--
I. Calm determination.
1. As to himself. He is greatly concerned as to the conduct of his own life. He has a great work to perform, and he is most anxious that nothing should mar it, or reflect discreditably upon the great purpose of the gospel. He looks well to the end, but is vigilant all along the road. To finish as he would desire he must keep his loins well girded. He anticipates the crown, but meanwhile he is ready to bear the Cross unmoved.
2. His ministry. About this he was most jealous. Since he had first asked, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” he had been “instant in season and out of season” in the pursuit of that one grand work of “testifying the gospel of the grace of God.” Such determination could not be changed, such preaching none could silence.
II. Ready sacrifice. “Neither count I my life clear,” etc.
1. This was no empty boast. Paul had already suffered. His Lord to him was ever more than his own life.
2. It was a spiritual appraisement. What was his life in comparison with that ministry with which he bad been put in trust? What his convenience or comfort? He could willingly “suffer the loss of all things,” and even “count them but dung,” that the great cause might be served (Rom_8:18).
III. Simple steadfastness. He who exhorted others to be steadfast was a consistent exponent of his own teaching. This would have great influence now with the elders of Ephesus.
1. Outward circumstances had no tendency to draw him aside. “None of these things move me.” He could say, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep,” etc. There was firm conviction, solid faith, calm rest, simple steadfastness.
2. His words stretched away into the future. As to themselves, see Act_20:29-30. As for himself, he would finish his course with joy. He had put his hand to the plough and would not look back. The prize was infinitely worthy of the work, the race, the fight. (E. M. Houchin.)
Paul’s faithful determination
Paul betrays in these words several valuable characteristics.
I. Firmness. “None of these things move me.” What things?
1. Excitement of travelling. How weary and tired.
2. Love of the Churches. Ephesus (chap. 20.); Tyre (Act_21:4-5).
3. Personal friendship (Act_20:8-13). Philip, Timothy, Luke, Silas, etc.
II. Self-sacrifice. “Neither count I my life dear,” etc. (cf. 2Co_4:16)
. His life was daily self-sacrifice, and death would be but short pain. But Paul’s life was not his own; hence his Master would take care of His own property; and Paul could say, Php_1:23-24.
III. Perseverance. “So that I might finish my course,” etc. Paul was now on his way to Jerusalem with the offerings of the Gentile Churches to the poor in that city. It was a part of his “ministry”; he could not turn aside, whatever the result.
IV. Gratitude. “To testify the gospel of the grace of God” (verse 13). “For the name of the Lord Jesus” (Gal_2:20), “who loved me.” Yet he loved earthly friends too; how hard to grieve them! “If you weep thus you will break my heart, though you cannot divert me from my work.” (Homilist.)
Paul’s devotedness
Note--
I. The fact that a man was able to say of all the afflictions of life, “None of these things move me.” We have here--
1. Calmness. It is a great gift of God, to think deliberately, to speak discreetly, to act wisely. Self-possession is a great secret of life; and I know no road to real self-possession but true religion. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.”
2. Elevation. He looks down upon “these things,” and says, “None of them move me.” For so it is with a spiritual mind, as it is with the natural senses--when we get up high, things, which looked before so large, grow so diminutive. Elevation--getting nearer to the grandnesses of eternity--makes the things of this little world seem what they really are.
3. Independence. The man who wishes to be independent of external circumstances must be dependent upon God.
II. That Paul connects “None of these things move me” with “Neither count I my life dear unto myself.” The less is in the greater. If what man calls “life” is “not dear to him,” then, undoubtedly, all the circumstances of life could not be very great to him. But then the question comes, How is a man to be able to say this? By having a deep inner life which supersedes that outer life, which to every natural man is everything. But it is not only so--for he who has the life of grace is always looking on, through it, to the life of glory; and this life becomes, in the balance, very little, because he is always living on, by faith, in that life of glory, to which he is hastening.
III. He goes on, “So that i might finish my course with joy.” To him life was a race, and, like a good runner, he thought of the goal as the recompense for all the difficulties of the way. And what is it to “finish the course with joy”? To hold on a consistent life, through God’s grace, to the end; and when that end comes, to put no shame on our profession; but to be able to “testify the grace of God,” and glorify a dying hour; and then, as we pass away, to see the crown waiting in our Saviour’s hand, and to have the full and confident expectation that we are going to receive the recompense. If you can see that end all that stands in the way will “not move you.”
IV. He looked at his work: “And the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” The great remedy for affliction is work; and, being Christian work, it is sure to be the antidote of trial. Now, St. Paul turned away from “the bonds and the afflictions,” and he thought of his “ministry”; and, if so be he could only work at this, it was enough for his consolation. And what is this work? Is not it always to be “living witnesses” by our life--by our words--by our works--to the gospel--the great, gladdening process--the perfect goodness and free favour of God. And, if only you can realise that work, you will be able to say of “this life,” “it is not dear to you”! (J. Vaughan, M. A.)
The true value of life
Life is a matter of very small account to anyone in comparison with duty doing; whether a man realises this truth or not. Whatever is worth living for is worth dying for, if dying be an incident to its pursuing. When the Roman general, Pompey, was warned against the danger of his returning from Egypt to Italy, to meet a new trouble in his own land, his heroic answer was: “It is a small matter that I should move forward and die. It is too great a matter that I should take one step backward and live.” Life is never well used when it is held dearer than duty. He who would tell a lie in order to live is willing to pay a great deal larger price for his life than that life is worth to himself--or to others. Richard Baxter has Paul’s idea when he sings, “Lord, it belongs not to my care,” etc.
Not counting life dear
John Penry, one of the noblest sons of Wales, offered up his life in the cause of his God and his country on the 29th of May 1593. In some of his last words to his countrymen he says, “The inhabitants of the city of Thasus being besieged by the Athenians made a law that whosoever would motion a peace to be concluded with the enemy should die the death. Their city began to be distressed, and the people to perish with the sword and famine. Hegetorides, a citizen, pitying the estate of his country, took a halter about his neck, came to the judgment place and spake, ‘My masters, deal with me as ye will; but in any case make peace with the Athenians, that my country may be saved by my death.’ My case is like this man’s: I know not my danger in these things. I see you, my dear native country, perish; it pitieth me. I come with a rope about my neck to save you. Howsoever it goeth with me, I labour that you may have the gospel preached among you. Though it cost my life, I think it well bestowed.”
Difficulties are God’s errands
In times of war, whom does the general select for some hazardous enterprise? He looks over his men, and chooses the soldier whom he knows will not flinch at danger, but will go bravely through whatever is allotted to him. He calls him that he may receive his orders, and the officer, blushing with pleasure to be thus chosen, hastens away to execute them. Difficulties are God’s errands, and when we are sent upon them we should esteem it a proof of God’s confidence. The traveller who goes round the world prepares himself to pass through all latitudes and to meet all changes. So a man must be willing to take life as it comes, to mount the hill when the hill swells, and to go down the hill. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Danger to be met
Ten years ago, whilst in college (if I may be forgiven a personal reference), I read what I thought then and think still, to be one of the noblest avowals ever made. I quote it because of its influence upon my own life then and since. “If” (said Francis Xavier) “those islands had scented woods and mines of gold, Christians would have courage enough to go thither, nor would all the perils in the world prevent them. They are dastardly and alarmed, because there are only the souls of men to be gained. And shall love be less hardy than avarice? ‘They will destroy me,’ you say, ‘by poison.’ It is an honour to which such a sinner as I am may not aspire. But this I dare to say, that whatever form of torture or of death awaits me, I am ready to suffer it ten thousand times for the salvation of a single soul.” The spirit that breathed in those words was the spirit of an utterly selfless love; and every man amongst us, who can even faintly echo them, has placed his hands upon the secret springs of power. (T. Longhurst.)
A Christian sense of honour
“If I served in the Queen’s army,” said John Bowen, when offered the Bishopric of Sierra Leone, “and on being appointed to a post of danger, were on that account to refuse to go, it would be an act of cowardice, and I should be disgraced in the eyes of men. Being a soldier of the Cross, I cannot decline what is now offered me because it exposes me to danger. I know it does, and therefore I must go. Were I offered a Bishopric in England, I might feel at liberty to decline it; but in Sierra Leone I must accept.”
Christian heroism
We note the parallelism of the text with Luther’s famous declaration when warned by his friends not to go to Worms. “I will go thither though there should be devils on every housetop.” When Tyndale was told that the bishops had burnt all the copies of his New Testament on which they could lay their hands, he calmly wrote, with a too sure presage of his after fate, “In burning the New Testament, they did none other things than I looked for: nor more shall they do if they burn me also, if it be God’s will it shall be so”; and that he was prepared for that was amply proved that day at Vilvorde, when, standing at the stake, he cried, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!” So, too, when Calvin was menaced with violence, he grandly said, “If this is what we have deserved at the hands of men whom we have struggled to benefit--viz., to be loaded with calumny and stung with ingratitude--then this is my voice, ‘Ply your faggots!’ but we warn you that even in death we shall become the conquerors, not simply because we shall find, even through the faggots, a sure passage to that upper and better life, but because our blood shall germinate like precious seed, and propagate that eternal truth of God which is now so scorned and rejected by the world.” To come to more recent times, the records of the Indian Mutiny contain many instances of native Christians and English soldiers--some of them hardly out of their boyhood--who could not be moved to abjure Christ by the most exquisite tortures which savagism could devise; while the story of the Madagascar Church has chapters in it which, in point of Christian heroism, raise this century to a level with the first. Nor is this all. There are amongst ourselves martyrs in humble life who are daily exposed to sacrificial flames of which no one knows fully but Jesus: youths who brave all manner of insults rather than renounce their allegiance to their Lord; wives who bear meekly the bitterest taunts rather than be disloyal to Christ; husbands who carry in secret the weight of living crosses, whose burden is all the heavier, and whose nails are all the sharper because of their love to those who form them; workmen who face continually a whole battery of scorn rather than do what their Divine Master has forbidden. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)
Self-sacrifice must enter into all true work
Dr. Holland writes thus of one of our great modern toilers: “As I think of my old associate he seems to me like a great golden vessel, rich in colour and roughly embossed, filled with the elixir of life, which he poured out without the slightest stint for the consumption of this people. We did not know when we tasted it and found it so charged with zest that we were tasting heart’s blood. A pale man, weary and nervous, crept home at three o’clock in the morning, and while thousands were bending eagerly over the results of his night’s labour he was tossing and trying to sleep. Yet this work was the joy of his life.”
Faithful unto death
During the war of Independence Lord Rawdon had to send an express of great importance through a country filled with the enemy, which a corporal of the 17th Dragoons, of known courage and intelligence, was selected to escort. They had not proceeded far before they were fired upon, the express killed, and the corporal wounded in his side. Careless of his wounds, he thought but of his duty. He snatched the dispatch from the dying man, and rode on till, from loss of blood, he fell, when, fearing the dispatch would be taken by the enemy, he thrust it into the wound until it closed upon it. He was found next day by a British patrol, with a smile on his countenance, with only life sufficiently remaining to point to the fatal depositary of his secret. In searching, the wound was found to be the cause of his death; but the surgeon declared that it was not mortal, but was rendered so by the insertion of the paper. (W. Baxendale.)
So that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus.
An overcoming faith
I.The first infinitely important truth taught by our text is that to each of us a course has been prescribed, which each may call his course, and which each is to finish. “My course,” says the apostle; but how forgetful are we all here. How constantly do we find Christians pleading something in their present condition as an excuse for their unfaithfulness, and persuading themselves that in other circumstances they would be more holy and devoted. “Had I but other talents,” says the slothful servant, “I would be useful.” “For my part,” argues a second, “were I only free from these embarrassments, nothing would interrupt my zeal and charity.” Let us settle in our minds this proposition, that to each individual God assigns his own course, and that his piety, and happiness, and acceptance, depend not on the course itself, but on his fulfilling it--not on the sphere in which the Christian moves, but on his glorifying God in it. An angel, sent to live on this earth, would not be at all concerned whether he were seated on a throne of diamond, or toiled as a scavenger sweeping the streets. His only solicitude would be about occupying the place designated for him, and glorifying God there. And we, if we would be useful or happy, must cultivate the temper of that angel. It is recorded of John the Baptist, that he “fulfilled his course.” Paul says, “I have finished my course.” How different the courses of these remarkable men I need not tell you; each, however, completed his course, and this constituted his piety. And just so now; how diversified are our circumstances, our trials, and duties, and difficulties.
II. To every man a certain and definite time in given in which to finish his course: “His days are determined, the number of his months is with Thee, Thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.”
III. What effect the truths I have been urging may have on your minds, I, of course, cannot tell. Upon Paul their influence was constant and powerful, as you see in the text. They filled him with ardour; they armed him for every event of life. They caused him to forget the past, to rise above the present, to fix his eye with an eagle gaze on the future, and to feel that the only object worthy of his cares, and toils, and sacrifices, was the glorious consummation, the joyful termination of his course. What, then, is the import of the language before us? I answer, it denotes plainly, that in the Christian’s estate the finishing his course with joy is the great concern of life. Other and indispensable duties engage his hands; but they are only by-work, they are not the grand object. This is another import of the language of the text. It expresses the earnestness and intentness of the Christian’s application to the course before him; and, once more, the words denote the constancy of that application.
IV. I place such a man, for example, amidst the temptations and allurements of the world; but for him how impotent their assaults and solicitations! Maxims of this world, how false are ye all in his eyes! Examples of this world, how pernicious do your unsearchable seductions appear! No, the world is unmasked. The pleasures he seeks are pure and celestial. Eternal riches inflame his avarice. True glory is the object of his competition. I place this man, again, amidst the fears and discouragements of the believer. Fears, discouragements, how many, and from how many sources! Ah! see, he is now exposed to shame. He is persecuted and seized and forsaken. If the world despise him, he knows how to despise the world in return. And he sternly pursues his career with a courage only strengthened by opposition. And what more shall I add? In his afflictions, in all his trials and conflicts and sufferings, what ineffable consolations does not such a man taste; with what holy firmness is he not armed? “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” I was right, then, when I affirmed that in view of the joyful termination of his course, the Christian can be prepared for every event of life. And I was equally right in saying that such a prospect can do more; that it can make the Christian intrepid, nay triumphant, in the last hour, the trying conflict with death itself. Death is not to him what it is to all others.
1. In the first place, such a man has formed a correct estimate of life.
2. In the next place, the very life which the Christian I am describing leads, must prepare him for death by weaning him from all earthly things. He dies daily to the world. (R. Fuller.)
Finishing the Christian course
I.His steadfast resolution and firmness of mind under present trials. And this lies in two things.
1. That he was not moved by them: he was immovable at the threatening prospect. The expression imports not only a fixed resolution, but a wise and rational determination of mind, upon a due weighing and comparing things together, and considering the reasons on either hand. Nor was this a vain boast; for we find him steady and unmoved, preserving a firmness and composure of mind, and expressing a noble triumph and joy, in the greatest trials he met with (Rom_5:3; 2Co_12:10; Rom_8:18).
2. He did not value his life. “Neither count I my life dear to myself.” I know the worst which can befall me, and the utmost my enemies can do; they can only kill the body, and take away my life; and I am so far from being afraid of suffering that I am not afraid of dying. My life is devoted to Christ, and ‘tis the same thing to me to lay it out or lay it down for Him, to spend it in painful service or lose it by violent suffering. And we find this was actually the case, and the temper he expressed upon the trial (Act_21:13; Php_1:20; 2Ti_4:6).
II. His great desire and aim in it, or what he proposed to himself, and had in his eye, in this resolution of mind: “That I may finish my course,” etc.
1. To settle the sense and meaning of the expressions. “To finish my course,” to perfect my course, and bring it to an end; to run out my race: for the allusion is to racers who run within the lines marked out to the appointed goal. “And the ministry I have received of the Lord.”
äéáêïíé́áí
: If this word is agonistical, and signified the servants who attended in the race, the allusion is still preserved, and the expression the more beautiful. It plainly refers to the apostleship, or his extraordinary ministry immediately received from Christ. “To testify the gospel of the grace of God.” To testify was proper to the apostles, who were peculiarly the witnesses of Christ. It was the “gospel of the grace of God,” as it contained the greatest instance and display of the favour of God to the guilty world, and was bestowed upon any place by a special favour. “With joy,” with cheerfulness and satisfaction of mind. The sense is, that I may fully execute the extraordinary commission immediately received from Christ, and have the satisfaction of a faithful discharge of it. Now, the finishing our course, whether Christian or ministerial, may be considered to signify, either--
(1) The entireness and completeness of it, or the performing every part of our proper work. In this sense we finish our course when we perform all the work which is cut out for us, and fill up the several capacities and relations of life with answerable duty, according to the circumstances of our condition and abilities of usefulness and opportunities of good (Psa_119:6; Luk_1:6; 1Th_3:10; Col_4:12). We leave our course unfinished in this view of it when it is defective, and we live in the neglect of any part of the Christian duty, or suffer any Divine command or appointment to be disregarded. Or--
(2) Perseverance unto the end. It is not enough to enter upon the Christian state, or go a considerable way in it; but we must go through it and reach the end of it (Luk_1:15; Luk_8:15, Heb_12:1). Or else--
(3) The cheerfulness and pleasure which ought to attend it (2Co_1:2; 1Jn_3:21; Rom_15:13).
2. I shall consider more largely the grounds of it, or the reasons of such a desire and aim in all the sufferings and troubles of life. I shall consider them as extending to the common case of Christians, and represent and urge them ill all the various views referred to in the Scripture, the more to impress and affect our minds.
(1) Our course is by the appointment and will of God. He is the Master of the race, who has marked out the ground, and prescribed the length and limits of the way we are to run. He has cut out our work and service in the stated duties of the Christian life, and the special services in which we are engaged. He has made it our duty by the appointment of His will, who is the sovereign Lord of the creature, and has a right to prescribe and to be obeyed. Besides, we are under the strongest obligations to God. We have taken the oath of allegiance and sworn fidelity to this great Lord. And our engagement in His service and acknowledgment of His authority is a standing obligation; as he who undertakes to run a race is obliged to exert himself and do his best to win the prize, or he who lists himself in the service is obliged to fight and obey orders.
(2) There is a great savour and grace attending it. The Christian course itself is a dispensation of grace, attended with singular privileges and great advantages, and vouchsafed to any place by special favour (Rom_6:14; 2Co_6:1). We have many merciful assistances of light and grace; clearer discoveries of the will of God, and more powerful influence and aids, than the religion of mere nature, or any former dispensation of God to the world. We have the outward helps of gospel ordinances, which are wisely fitted to reach their gracious ends, to enlighten and refresh our minds, and recruit our spiritual strength; and the inward succours of the Divine presence and spirit (Eph_3:16; Rom_8:26; Rom_5:5; Rom_15:13). And how reasonable is steadfastness and perseverance under such encouragements and advantages! We are concerned in gratitude to God, and from a sense of kindness, to perform the Christian duty and finish our course, which is not only a wise and reasonable service, but made easy under all its difficulties by Divine aids.
(3) The great danger we are in of failing and miscarrying. Our present graces and virtues are very imperfect, the appetites and passions of our natures are strong and unruly. There are many snares of sin round about us, many sensible objects, the baits of concupiscence, suitable to our various inclinations and temper of mind, and every circumstance and condition of life. And there is the old serpent the devil, the watchful adversary, who is always ready to deceive and ensnare us, to throw a false light upon things, to strike upon the weak side of our nature, to take the advantage of an unguarded moment, and make the best of every opportunity. And when these two things meet together, the weakness of our virtue and the strength of a well-timed and well-managed temptation, how great must our danger be! how easily are we drawn into sin and discouraged in the Christian course! The apostle uses this consideration in his own case (1Co_9:26). And upon this ground he often exhorts the Christians to caution and watchfulness (1Co_10:12; Heb_3:1; Heb_12:15; 2Co_2:11; Eph_6:11).
(4) The honour of religion and of the Divine grace is very much concerned in it. It is the end crowns the work, and gives the glory and perfection to the whole. But now, on the other hand, when a Christian forsakes his profession and lets go his confidence; when the prevalence of sin and the power of temptation carry him off, and he is again entangled and overcome; how dishonourable is it to religion, what a reflection does it cast upon the Divine grace! It opens the mouth of insulting enemies, and ministers to their reproach and triumph, as if they had prevailed against all the succours of religion and aids of grace: so the name of God is blasphemed through them.
(5) Unless we finish our course, all we have done in the meantime will be lost and in vain. We had as good do nothing as not to do to the purpose. We lose all we have been doing, as well as all we expect.
(6) It will fare worse with us than if we had never begun. They who fall away after good beginnings, and forsake the profession and practice of religion after some trial and continuance, are in a more hazardous state, and of all others most difficulty recovered (Heb_6:4). And the reason is, they have laid waste their conscience, and are enslaved by sin, and have forfeited all friendly and gracious regards from God. Yea, and they fall under a greater displeasure from God, as they have abused a greater grace.
(7) It is necessary to the final reward. He who fights in a warfare must first overcome before he is crowned and triumphs. We must be good and faithful servants before we can receive the approbation of our judge.
(8) I would further suggest, especially to elder Christians, You are near finishing, and have not much of your course to run. You have held out a great while, perhaps through many trials of life; how sad would it be to miscarry at last! That would be like a ship richly laden, after a long and dangerous voyage from a far distant country, suffering shipwreck, or bulging upon a rock, in the harbour’s mouth.
(9) It will make our passage out of the world at last more easy, and our entrance into heaven joyful. To this purpose the apostle directs (Heb_6:11).
1. I infer from hence that every Christian has his course of service appointed by God. How cheerful and ready will all our obedience be when we are thoroughly satisfied of the right of the authority and the reason of the command?
2. We must be prepared and resolved against difficulties and trials in our way. We must cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart, and not be soon shaken in mind, if we hope to be steadfast and unmovable, and not to fall from our own steadfastness.
3. We must not grudge our lives in the service of Christ, or think much to lay them down for His sake.
4. We learn from hence what to think of those who have not yet begun the Christian course; who have never heartily set about the Christian life, or been in good earnest in it, but lived in ignorance and careless neglect, in a deep security and unconcern of mind, or under governing habits and customs of sin; who are taken up with the business or vanities of life, and pursue their pleasures and interests in it, but never made a personal surrender of themselves to God, or made it their daily endeavour to do His will or be approved of Him; who never made religion the care of their souls or the business of their lives. The longer you continue in this state the farther you are from your end. These two are direct extremes, and stand at the greatest distance from one another, the finishing our course, and not beginning it. And what if you should die in the meantime, and be called off the stage of the world, while you are only considering and designing, and before you begin to act a proper part in it, or have done anything in order to it?
5. It is not enough to begin well, but we must finish our course too. There will be always something to do as long as we live, though life were extended to never so great a length, towards finishing our course and coming off well at last. And it should be our daily endeavour that the longer we live the better we may be, more refined from all sinful and earthly allay, more improved and confirmed in the Divine life, and fitted for the heavenly state, that our last days may be our best days, and our last works more than the first.
6. How happy are they who have finished their course! The satisfaction and joy which arises in a Christian’s mind upon the finishing his course is unspeakable and glorious, and will recompense all the labour and sorrow he has met with in the way. And there is a great deal of reason for it, for when he has finished his course he is past all danger of miscarrying and being lost, and is placed out of the reach of temptation and snare and every envious and malicious power. And what reason have we of comfort, and not to sorrow as those who have no hope, for them who have finished their course and sleep in Jesus!
7. How much should it be our concern that present trials may not discourage us, and that we may finish our course with joy! Have you any work for God upon your hands or in your design? Leave it not neglected or unfinished, but make all proper dispatch. Is there any part of the Christian course, any ordinance of worship or duty of life, which lies neglected? See that it be immediately performed and attended to. Are there any of the graces of the Christian life remarkably defective, or any sins more than ordinary prevalent? Labour earnestly to have the one strengthened and improved and the other mortified and subdued, that what is lacking may be perfected, and that you may strengthen the things which remain. (W. Harris, D. D.)
A joyful termination
“Finish my course.” There is a solemnity about the completion of anything. It may he a triumphant success or a disastrous failure. “Finish my course.” All things must come to an end. No earthly being or object can go on forever. The river runs till it reaches the ocean, but it ceases then. “Finish my course.” How much does this presuppose! The end implies the beginning. The course implies all the incidental events and changing scenes of the journey. “Finish my course with joy.” All men finish their course and arrive at the goal. But how few there are who finish their course with joy! Too often the end brings grief, too often the arrival is at a miserable store of sorrow.
I. We have great DESIRE--“That I might,” etc. Joy is the great thing for which the human heart is always craving. And the joy here alluded to is not the transitory gratification of the moment, but the eternal joy of heaven. It is for this the Christian works, for this the Christian waits. This is his support through all the trials and difficulties of life. And this our Lord has taught us to desire. He Himself set us the example. “For the joy that was set before Him,” etc.
1. He will see that he is on the right road. It is impossible to finish the course with joy if we are on the wrong track.
2. He will see that he is exercising right methods. Among the many who would desire joy there is a large proportion who are mistaken in their ideas as to the method of obtaining it.
3. He will see that he is walking under right direction. He who trusts himself will fall, for he has no power to help himself. We must place ourselves under the entire direction of the revealed teaching of the Holy Spirit.
II. Anxiety. There is a fear lest the desire might not be gratified. It is well that this should[ be so. Pride goeth before all.
1. For, alas, it is possible to fail to realise this desire.
2. But the end, if attained, is all-important and momentous. It will make no difference whether a man has been born a king or a pauper, a merchant or a plough boy, if the end is peace and joy.
Two urgent thoughts are to be impressed on us here.
1. We cannot possibly anticipate a joyous end unless we live the life of the righteous, and the wish will be as vain as was the desire of Balaam.
2. We cannot possibly anticipate a joyous end unless that end is “in the Lord.” “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” (Homilist.)
How can a servant of God finish his course with joy
1. When he has the peace of a good conscience, relying on the consciousness of faithful labour, and on the assurance of Divine grace (verses 18-20, 26, 27).
2. When he leaves behind him in the world the seed of the kingdom of God, which will spring up over his grave by the labour of his honest successors, and by the faithfulness of the Eternal God (verses 28-32).
3. When he ventures to hope in heaven for the gracious reward of his Lord (verse 24). (K. Gerok.)
How to finish life’s course with joy
I. By early consecration. Salvation may be found in advanced life, but one of the richest joys of salvation is that of being able to say in manhood and in old age, “I have feared the Lord from my youth.”
II. By consistent profession. It is a grand thing when a backslider is truly restored, but grander far when there is no backsliding from which to be restored. What joy in being able to say at life’s close, “My heart has not gone back, neither have my feet declined from Thy ways.”
III. By faithful, self-sacrificing service. This is rendered not only by missionaries and ministers, but by Christians in all spheres of life. In and for the Church, the school, and the world is a special work for each servant of the Lord. If it be done faithfully, cheerfully, lovingly, we shall finish our course with joy and have the abundant entrance, etc. (Andrew Bowden.)
Life’s course finished with joy
Speaking of the wreck of the steamer in which Dr. Armstrong, secretary of the American Board, perished, Dr. J. W. Alexander says: “They already expected to go to pieces at sunset, but they did not till 4 a.m. “All night in the howling storm, the fires all out, the cold insufferable, a few biscuits, but no drink, and the bell toiling all the while. The last time Dr. Armstrong is reported to have been seen, he was standing above, surveying the scene, perfectly calm; he then uttered these words, I think to a hearer of mine. ‘I entertain hope that we may reach the shore; but if not, my confidence is firm in that God who doeth all things in wisdom and love.’” Surely no man in the serenity of a dying chamber could be better employed. (Biblical Museum.)
Life’s course finished with joy
Mozart, the great German composer, died at Vienna, in 1691. He had been working, for weeks, upon the “Requiem,” an exquisite piece, his soul filled with inspirations of richest melody, and already claiming kindred with immortality. After giving to it the last touch, which breathed the undying spirit of sacred song, he fell into a sweet slumber, from which the gentle footsteps of his daughter awoke him. “Come hither, my child,” he said, “my task is done--the Requiem--my Requiem--is finished!” “Say not so, dearest father,” exclaimed the gentle girl, almost beside herself with alarm; “you must be better--you look better, for even now your cheek has a glow upon it. I am sure we will nurse you well again; let me bring you something refreshing.” “Do not deceive yourself, my love,” returned the dying man; “this wasted form can never be restored by human aid; from Heaven’s mercy alone do I look for aid, in this my last hour. You spoke of refreshment, my child--take these, my last notes--sit by my piano here--sing them with the hymn of your sainted mother.” The devoted daughter obeyed, and when the piece was ended, she turned from the instrument, and looked for her beloved father’s approving smile. It was the still, passionless smile which the rapt and joyous spirit had left--with the seal of death upon the placid face. (J. N. Norton, D. D.)
The course finished with joy
We may contemplate the apostle’s course as--
I. Appointed. “My times are in Thy hand”--the time of birth, death, prosperity, adversity, usefulness. The appointment is--
1. High in its authority.
2. Wise in its regulations.
3. Good in its designs.
II. Lengthened.
1. Hence we have to admire the care of God in his preservation.
2. Then what opportunities for usefulness in so long a career.
III. Consistent. He was governed by--
1. Christian principle.
2. Prudence.
3. “Patient continuance in well-doing.”
4. Endurance to the end.
IV. Useful.
V. Finished with joy. (S. Eldridge.)
A mission accomplished
I.Every life has a mission.
1. Every life involves the highest powers in the universe. Their scope includes immortality as well as time. To build the soul within; to shape a graceful statue, or write a noble song, or construct a railroad, or send argosies across the seas are grand works, but not so grand as this.
2. Consecration to God’s service. To make our home life more sweet and tender and joyful, and through the forces of character in ourselves to bless society; by instruction, gift, and example.
3. No one lacks opportunity. Resources which seem feeble have a vital part in the accomplishment of our mission.
II. Whosoever accomplishes his errand with a steadfast purpose will finish it with joy.
1. He enjoys peace of conscience.
2. He rests in the consciousness of God’s approval.
3. He will be rewarded in the life to come.
4. The fruits of his fidelity will continue.
III. The acceptance of this Divine mission and its fulfilment is the secret of a joyous life. The Christian hastes onward to his goal with gladness as the ship speeding to the harbour unmindful of the spray which, because of its very speed, dashes across its deck.
IV. Here is the secret of victory. (R. S. Storrs, D. D.)
Of the gospel
I.The name and signification of it. The Greek word used for it signifies a good message, good news, glad tidings.
II. The author and origin of the gospel.
1. It is not of man; a device and invention of men (Gal_1:11-12).
2. The gospel is from heaven. It is good news from a far country.
III. The effect of the gospel when attended with the power and Spirit of God.
IV. The properties of the gospel.
1. It is but one; there is another, as the apostle says (Gal_1:6-7).
2. It is called, from the objects of it, the gospel of the circumcision, and the gospel of the uncircumcision (Gal_2:7).
3. It is a glorious gospel; so it is called (2Co_4:4; 1Ti_1:11).
4. It is an everlasting gospel; which is the epithet given it (Rev_14:6). (Theological Sketchbook.)
To testify the gospel of the grace of God.--
A gospel worth dying for
Paul says that, in comparison with his great object of preaching the gospel, he did not count even his life to be dear to himself; yet we are sure Paul highly valued life. In another place he said, “To abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” According to our text the apostle regarded life as a race which he had to run. Now, the one thought of a runner is how he can most speedily reach the winning post. So all Paul’s energies were consecrated to one object--namely, to bear testimony to the gospel of the grace of God; and the life he lived was only valued as a means to that end.
I. What was this gospel for which Paul would die?
1. It is not everything called “gospel” which would produce such enthusiasm, or deserve it. It is not worth while to die for a doctrine which will itself died out. I have lived long enough to see half a dozen new gospels rise, flourish, and decay. I have heard of one improvement upon the old faith and then of another; and philosophical divines are still improving their theology. I should like to ask them whether there is any positive doctrine in the Bible at all; and whether the martyrs were not fools to die for what the advance of thought has cast into disuse.
2. What is this gospel which Paul valued before his own life? That which most forcibly struck the apostle was that it was a message of grace, and of grace alone. In these days that word “grace” is not often heard; we hear of moral duties, and scientific adjustments, and human progress. But grace is the essence of the gospel, the one hope for this fallen world, the sole comfort of saints looking forward for glory.
2. The gospel is the good news of grace.
(1) It is an announcement that God is prepared to deal with guilty man on the ground of free favour and pure mercy. There would be no good news in saying that God is just; for that is not news--we know that God is just; and if it were news, yet it would not be good news, for we have all sinned, and upon the ground of justice we must perish. But it is news of the best kind, that the Judge of all is prepared to pardon transgression, and to justify the ungodly. This is a message worth dying for, that through the covenant of grace God can be just, and yet the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. That God is merciful and gracious, and is ready to bless the most unworthy, is a wonderful piece of news, worth a man’s spending a hundred lives to tell.
(2) In the gospel there is also revealed a motive for mercy which is in agreement with the grace of God. God, the highest of all intelligences, acts upon the highest reasons. He finds a motive in His own nature and mercy since He could not find it anywhere else. He will deal with guilty men according to the sovereignty of His will, “to the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.”
(3) In order to the accomplishment of the designs of grace it was necessary further that a gospel message should be issued full of promise, encouragement, and blessing. It speaks on this wise: Sinner, just as you are, return unto the Lord, and He will receive you graciously and love you freely. God hath said, “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
(4) That this gospel blessing might come within the reach of men, God’s grace has adopted a method suitable to their condition. “How can I be forgiven?” saith one. “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” God asks of you no good works, nor good feelings, but that you be willing to accept what He most freely gives. Dost thou say, “But faith itself seems beyond my reach”? Then, in the gospel of the grace of God we are told that even faith is God’s gift, and that He works it in men by His Holy Spirit. “But I fear I should go back to sin; for I have no strength by which to keep myself for the future.” Hearken! the gospel of the grace of God is this, that He will keep thee to the end. I read in an old book a dream of one who was under concern of soul. He fell asleep and dreamed that he was out in the wilds in a terrible storm. He ran to the first house before him, but was denied admittance. He that dwelt there was named Justice, and he said in angry tones, “Get thee gone--I cannot shelter a traitor to his King and God!” He fled to the next house, the mansion of Truth. Truth said, “Thou art full of falsehood, thou canst not sojourn here.” He fled to the home of Peace; but Peace said, “Begone! there is no peace, saith my God, unto the wicked.” He could not then tell what to do, for the storm waxed yet more furious: when lo! he saw a portal over which was written “Mercy.” “Ay,” said he, “this is the place for me, for I am guilty.” The door was open and he was welcomed there. To that house come in and be at rest.
II. How can we live for this gospel of the grace of God? If anybody is to live for this gospel--
1. He must have received it from God, and he must have received a call to minister or serve for it, and feel himself under bonds to hold and keep it; not so much because he has chosen it, but because it has chosen him.
2. He must make it known. Wherever Paul went he published the gospel. “Oh,” says one, “I cannot make it known; people would pay me no respect.” Just what they said about Paul--“his personal presence is weak.” “Oh, but I am no speaker.” That also is what they said of Paul--“His speech is contemptible.” “Oh, but if I were to say anything, I could not adorn it.” But Paul says, “We use great plainness of speech.”
3. He must testify to the gospel--i.e., bear personal witness to it. Paul was specially qualified to testify, and how sweetly he told out the gospel of the grace of God when he said, “I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering for a pattern,” etc. Cannot you tell of your conversion, and let men know how free grace came to you when you looked not for it?
4. Nor would Paul end there; for he would often tell how, when he had been stoned and tried by false brethren, he had been upheld by the grace of God, and also what he had experienced of heavenly joys. My friend, if the gospel has done nothing for you, hold your tongue or speak against it; but if the gospel has done for you what it has done for some of us, tell it wherever you go; and make men know that even if they reject it, it is to you the power of God unto salvation, and will be the same to every man that believeth.
III. Why we should live to make known the gospel of the grace of God. Because--
1. It is the only gospel in the world. These mushroom gospels of the hour, which come and go like a penny newspaper, which has its day and then is thrown aside, have no claim on any man’s zeal. These changing moons of doctrine are alienating the mass of the people from going to any place of worship at all. Why should they come to hear uncertainties?
2. It is for God’s glory. It makes man nobody, but God is all-in-all.
3. Thus you will glorify Christ. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The source of satisfaction
To feel that we have done what we could--that we have really done our best--brings rest and satisfaction. The surgeon who has a critical case in hand, the issue of which is uncertain; or the jurist who has great interests committed to his consideration, and who cannot tell what results may follow his action, feels undisturbed if he knows that he has done his best in the trust given him to guard. On the other hand, if there be a lurking suspicion that some details have been overlooked, some matters neglected, conscience has no satisfaction. The Christian at the close of life may be able humbly and gratefully to say, “I have done the best I could.” (R. S. Storrs, D. D.)
Living to purpose
Live for some purpose in the world. Act your part well. Fill up the measure of your duty to others. Conduct yourself so that you shall be missed with sorrow when you are gone. Multitudes of our species are living in such a selfish manner that they are not likely to be remembered after their disappearance. They leave behind them scarcely any trace of their existence, but are forgotten almost as though they had never been. They are, while they live, like one pebble lying unobserved amongst a million on the shore; and when they die, they are like that same pebble thrown into the sea, which just ruffles the surface, sinks, and is forgotten, without being missed from the beach. They are neither regretted by the rich, wanted by the poor, nor celebrated by the learned. Who has been the better for their life? Who has been the worse for their death? Whose tears have they dried up? Whose wants supplied? Whose miseries have they healed? Who would unbar the gates of life, to re-admit them to existence? or what face would greet them back again to our world with a smile? Wretched, unproductive mode of existence! Selfishness is its own curse; it is a starving vice. The man who does no good, gets none. He is like the heath in the desert, neither yielding fruit, nor seeing when good cometh; a stunted, dwarfish, miserable shrub. (J. A. James.)
