Acts 20:22-24 - Constrained by the Spirit

20:22,23

Paul was going to Jerusalem “compelled by the Holy Spirit”. We do not know exactly how this happened, presumably Paul felt some inner unction from the Spirit to go there. In this incident we will learn some useful lessons on being led by the Spirit, both from the point if view of the one “led by the Spirit” and from the perspective of those around him. We should note also that Paul did not know what was going to happen there. Being “led by the Spirit” goes together with knowing the Scriptures, prayer, worship, service etc. It is never an excuse for not doing these things. The only thing Paul did know was that God’s plans for his life usually involved suffering!

20:24

This is a wonderful verse, and one that we should all seek to make our own. “I consider my life worth nothing”, in an age where self-fulfillment seems to be everything this stands out in stark contrast. And this attitude of self-fulfillment being the goal has permeated the church. Paul’s aim in life was to finish the race and complete the task that Christ had given him, and that task was to make known the good news of Jesus Christ.  How this works out for each one of us will be different, but serving Christ should be the goal of each one of us, doing the things that He has called us to do.