Daily devotion – The unstoppable Paul!
Acts 20:24 “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.”
What a remarkable statement from the Apostle Paul. “None of these things move me…” — not trials, not suffering, not persecution, not even the threat of death.
How was Paul able to live with such a selfless, unwavering attitude?
From the very beginning of his calling, Paul knew the cost.
Acts 9:16
“For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
Paul’s life for Christ was never going to be easy. Yet he pressed on with a steadfast heart. Why? Because his focus was not on preserving his life—but on fulfilling his calling.
“How do you stop a man like Paul?”
You can’t. His life was fully surrendered to Christ.
Paul says, “Neither count I my life dear unto myself.” That runs completely contrary to how most people live today. We naturally cling to life. We strive to extend it, protect it, and preserve it at all costs. Yet Paul held his life loosely.
Why?
One reason may be found in what Paul experienced.
2 Corinthians 12:2–4 speaks of him being “caught up to the third heaven.” He had seen something of the glory that awaited him. Heaven was not just a doctrine to Paul—it was a reality.
No wonder he could also say:
Philippians 1:21
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
We often struggle with this perspective. When a believer dies—especially someone young—we feel they have been deprived. Yet Scripture tells us something very different.
Revelation 21:4
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain…”
For the believer, death is not loss—it is entrance into the presence of Jesus, into a place of perfect peace, joy, and glory.
Could it be that we cling so tightly to this life because we have not fully grasped the wonder of Heaven?
Paul lived with eternity in view. That is what gave him courage, endurance, and joy in the midst of suffering.
May we learn to hold this life with open hands, and like Paul, seek above all else to:
Finish our course
Fulfill our ministry
Testify of the gospel of the grace of God
And may we do it with joy.
2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”