20:24
Paul was motivated by something far greater than personal fulfilment. His life was dedicated to “testifying to the good news of God’s grace”. His life was only worthwhile if he did this. So his “only aim was to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus had given him”. We need to examine the ultimate driving force in our lives. This does not mean that we have no care at all for ourselves in terms of wanting things to go well, but what is the number one priority and hope in our life?
20:25-27
Paul believes that this will be the last time that he sees the Ephesian believers. He then claims that he is “innocent of the blood of any of you”. What does he mean and why does he say this? One is that he has declared the full gospel, he has not withheld any of the truth. As he will go on to say, he knows the dangers that are coming to the Ephesian church. They must hold on to the truth of the gospel if they are to resist these threats. They have been fully equipped, so they should accept full responsibility for themselves. We must not be people who just feed off sermon after sermon, but must take what we are taught and act upon it, we must grow into maturity as followers of Christ.
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