How to Finish Life's Course with Joy
Andrew Bowden. Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry… 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.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: But these things don't count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.