What is the race...what is His task?

Acts 20:24
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

There is a life worth living. There is a life with purpose. In fact, it is the purpose for living. I'm not saying that I have made up that purpose. I'm saying there is an objective purpose which all men are to follow. I'm saying there is something besides me and my thoughts that accompany that ultimate purpose. My question about this verse is what drives a man to say "I consider my life worth nothing to me" unless he knew he had a true purpose?

The point isn't that Paul the apostle was saying this was only his purpose...he recognized clearly that this was the purpose of all men. "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (20:32) He recognized the importance of the word of his(God's) grace which can build those believers into truly sanctified(people being made like Jesus) men and women. This is the reality of the task. It isn't just reaching out to others, it is reaching in...building up so that it can reach out to those who need...those who are weak(20:35). Those who need the gospel are not just those outside the church! No the gospel is what we all need everyday of our lives. As Paul declared(20:21) so I declare all men must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We must turn from ourselves...turn from the things of this world..turn from our sin and follow Him with everything. A life laid down before His cross. A life give over to His praise, honor, and glory.

What does that mean? A life given over to His praise, honor, and glory? It's simple enough. What is your heart behind what you are doing? I had a Literature professor once who asked me..."is it possible to ever do anything unselfish?" Is it possible to ever give your life up for someone without the motive for your own admonishment before men? Your own name looked at as heroic. The reality is apart from Jesus Christ you give praise to only one person..yourself. But God has asked for a relationship. He had a relationship before man turned from Him. He wants that relationship..but the only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ(John 14:6). You can only come to know God...you can only give praise to the One who deserves it the Most through Jesus Christ.

But why? Why would I want to give my life over to Christ? Because by nature we are objects of God's wrath(Ephesians 2:3). Not that there is an angry God looking to punish poor sinners! No! It is man has turned from God! The question isn't "Why does God let all this evil happen?" it is "Why does he allow me to exist?" Don't you see! Every breath is a gift! Every last moment you have here is a gift from God to allow you to be here. He allows you to not feel the wrath of His justice for One reason! That your life may truly bring His name honor by living for Him. It must be clear..you DO NOT DO ANYTHING to earn God's favor!! If you tried the only thing you could expect is the same answer God had for Adam and Eve when they covered their nakedness, "Where are you?...Cursed is the ground because of you!...So the Lord God banished him" (Gen 3:9-23)
And also Scripture clearly says," All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags."(Isaiah 64:6). Even the good things we do aren't good enough. There must be something else...how then can we find favor? How is one not going to receive eternal punishment(2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)?

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."(Isaiah 53:5)

Look to Jesus Christ. Anyone who looks upon Him and believes in His heart that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead...has overcome the very wrath the deserve..to believe in Him gives eternal life. My friend..there is nothing we do...the very things are from the heart. Are you looking at the heart or just the things you have done?

The race is to fight the battle of this life in knowing God through it all...the task is to share of the very grace He has given us by the death of His own Son. Are you living for this purpose?