Do not lose sight of the Goal

Acts 28:17-24 

The goal, the goal, do not lose sight of the goal.  But have we been tricked in some smooth and fraudulent way to take our eyes off the goal that is each of our calling as Christ’s ambassadors?   For most of my life as a Christian this saying has permeated; “Do not discuss politics and religion with those you do not know well.”  How did your faith, what you believe about God and His free gift of Salvation get put in a sentence with something as ungodly as politics?  Where did the message come from that tells you not to share your faith with family, friends, and neighbors, for in doing so you might turn them off?  Turn them off, from what, is showing a love and concern for their eternal life in some way going to send them to a different hell than what the devil, the deceiver, has planned?  It is so important to understand that God did not design hell for people, it was designed for Satan and his angels, but many good people will choose that because they are full of self, and are living independently of God.

The apostle Paul never lost sight of the goal!  He had been in Rome three days when he calls the local leaders of the Jews to meet with him; then he explains what has happened to him and how he came to Rome on an appeal to Caesar.  Then Paul tells those listening: “For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.” (Acts 28:20 ESV)  The local leaders share that they have not received any letter from Judea about him and no one that has come to Rome has spoken any evil of him.  But they had heard much about this new sect, these followers of Jesus of Nazareth and all they heard was against, not for.  So they set a date to come back and hear more of Paul’s views on this new sect, and they came back in greater numbers, and some believed, but others did not.

How is Paul’s setting up those meetings in keeping with the goals Christ had for him?  Do you recall what Jesus said to him on the journey to Damascus; sure you remember, Saul ask who was talking to him and Jesus said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting” but do you remember that Jesus gave him this calling, this goal; “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”  (Acts 26:18 ESV)
If for some reason you have been conned into believing that Paul and preachers are the ones with that goal, then you have been duped.  Do you recall Jesus’ commission to each of us; “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:18-20 ESV) 

The goal, the goal, that is what the Spirit of Christ is saying to each of us, and we should listen intently and take to heart these words from the apostle as he spoke to those in Philippi; “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.(Philippians 2:14-16 ESV)   With that heart desire, set your mind on this; “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14 ESV)  Remember the goal is when you see His face and He says as Paul did about Timothy, for I have no one like you, a kingdom minded follower.


From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice