“I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
As followers of Jesus Christ, we have each been entrusted with the ministry of the Gospel of grace. Often times we make distinctions between those in “full-time ministry,” and, “regular Christians.” While there is greater accountability and responsibility for those that God has set apart for full-time vocational ministry, this does not mean that each and every Christian is not a messenger of the Gospel. We all are.
What does it mean, then, to “testify to the Gospel of the grace of God,” as the Apostle Paul wrote in Acts 20:24? The Greek word for “testify” in this verse means, “to solemnly affirm, to cause it to be believed.” According to this definition, our lives as Christians should affirm the Gospel of grace…we should give others cause to believe this great Gospel.
Do not be confused. We can never make someone believe the Gospel. But our lives can either credit or discredit what we say we believe to be true. If we verbally profess Christianity, yet live contrary to the Word of God, we are not testifying to the Gospel of grace. Likewise, if we “live a good life,” yet never verbally profess God’s Word, we are also not testifying to the Gospel of grace. The totality of our lives – our actions, words, and attitudes – should solemnly affirm the Gospel.
The Apostle Paul was so swept up by the grace of God and his mission in Christ, that he valued His ministry as a testifier of grace above all other things. No other achievement or success meant more to him than this one. How many of us can say the same thing?
Dear Lord, how grateful I am for your grace in my life. I pray that you would give me the opportunity this week to be a testifier of your grace and to share the hope of the gospel with others. In Jesus' name, amen.
Topics: Grace
