“But none of these things move me” (Acts 20:24).

Making this statement of firm resolve is easy; keeping it requires great courage. Paul made this assertion to the Ephesian elders, but God included it in His Word to challenge other believers like us. How could Paul truthfully make such a statement? What was his rationale? As he contemplated his life and the need for this kind of determination, what were some of the obstacles he faced? What are the results that followed his resolve, and what application does his example have for us?

RATIONALE OF PAUL’S RESOLVE

Perspective on Life

The text quoted in the title continues this way: “neither count I my life dear unto myself” (Acts 20:24 KJV).^[1] Paul could resolve such ongoing resilience in the pursuit of the “course” mapped out for him by the Lord because he had the right view of his life. His assessment of life was that staying alive was not the main thing; faithfulness to his calling was. He did not make light of his ministry or calling, but his focus was not on himself. His ultimate value was using his life as God directed. He told the Philippians he was quite willing and even desirous of departing to be with Christ, but in their case, he stated that “to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:24). John Paton manifested this kind of resolve when threatened by Pacific islanders:

“Next day, a wild Chief followed me about for four hours with his loaded musket, and though often directed towards me, God restrained his hand. I spoke kindly to him and attended to my work as if he had not been there, fully persuaded that my God had placed me there and would protect me till my allotted task was finished. Looking up in unceasing prayer to our dear Lord Jesus, I left all in His hands and felt immortal till my work was done.”^[2]

Sense of Duty as Directed by the Holy Spirit

Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is key to ministry resolve. Paul could say assuredly that he was “bound in the Spirit” (Acts 20:22). Convinced that God was leading him, Paul’s resolve was what any believer should conclude: “I am duty bound; I will not be moved from joyfully finishing my God-appointed course.” This phrase is passive and indicates that the impulse initially came from the Lord and not from Paul. Paul had certainty about God’s calling. He was not following his own plans or aspirations but was moved (that is, “compelled”) by the Spirit. Nothing provides more security amid trial, danger, and opposition than the confidence that God’s Spirit not only has put you in that position but that He is guiding and driving you forward.

Right Perspective on Danger

Dangers known and unknown await missionaries. How should they view them? Paul was not totally ignorant of or indifferent to the dangers he might face. He was going to Jerusalem, but he was going “not knowing the things that shall befall me there” (20:22b). On the other hand, he did know specifically that “bonds and afflictions” of various sorts awaited him (20:23). Today’s missionaries also know some things that may await them (e.g., specific diseases, government opposition, hostile religions, even terrorists), but like Paul, once knowing the Holy Spirit’s leading, each one must be unmoved by “these things.” Knowledge and information about serious challenges do not necessarily close the door. In the early years of missions to Africa, missionaries knew that life expectancy after arrival for them was eight years in Central Africa and two years in West Africa!

Focus on the Finish Line

Ironically, Paul’s statement about being unmoved comes in the context of consistent forward movement, sometimes at a fast pace but always with determination to cross the finish line. When he talks about finishing his “course,” he is presenting his life and ministry as a “race.” The Greek word used here occurs three times in the New Testament, and other versions sometimes translate it with the word “race.” ^[3] The imagery is clear. Despite all the battles he faces, Paul does not view his life as a war, but as a competition with his own spirit for the purpose of pleasing the One Whose approval matters.

OBSTACLES TO RESOLVE

Resolve is good, but it will be tested by numerous obstacles, or to continue the “race” theme, by multiple hurdles. Some of these we can anticipate; others will be surprises. The same was true for Paul.

Unknown Difficulties

Paul began with the unknown. He knew he was following the Holy Spirit’s compulsion in going to Jerusalem, but he writes that he was going “not knowing the things that shall befall me there” (Acts 20:22). Every missionary faces uncertainties as he launches out on deputation and then ministry on the field. On a deputation trip to Ohio, our daughter came down with spinal meningitis. As the wonderful Children’s Hospital in Columbus treated her, they also discovered a cyst on her ovary (she was 15 months old). She had major surgery three months later. Within a year or so of our arrival in Japan, the dollar value began to drop precipitously and in the next 2–3 years went from around 250 yen to the dollar to approximately 75 yen to the dollar, and GFA’s support levels were not extravagant!

We did not know these things would befall us, but such experiences are typical for missionaries. Compared to what William Carey and Adoniram Judson faced, these were minor matters, and the Lord took care of us through them all. John Williams did not know he would be clubbed, speared, and martyred as he tried to evangelize the unreached people on the Pacific island of Erromango. Samuel Newell, in the group with Adoniram Judson as the first official missionaries sent out from America, did not know his 19-year-old wife, Harriett, would die soon after childbirth before they could even begin their ministry. Their baby had already died in her mother’s arms.

Bonds/Imprisonment (Acts 20:23)

Paul expected the unexpected, and he also knew to expect being imprisoned. Knowing that scenario was coming would probably weaken the resolve of several, but in the history of missions many have experienced this, especially in Islamic, Communist, and Buddhist nations. British missionary Geoffrey Bull was burdened to reach Tibetans while they still had their independence. His book When Iron Gates Yield chronicles the unexpected ordeal he endured as he experienced more than three years of incredible deprivation, interrogation, and solitary confinement under Chinese Communist persecution.

Afflictions (Acts 20:23)

It is one thing to know about the possibility of afflictions; it is another matter to experience them. Some afflictions require a departure from the mission field. But we have known coworkers who were unmoved even by deadly afflictions. One beloved friend and GFA missionary became ill with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Incredibly, she remained in Japan and despite her physical incapacity, was a bright testimony to those who cared for her until she passed into glory.

Discouragement from Friends and Even Family (Acts 21:12–14)

When Agabus illustrated Paul’s coming fate of being bound and turned over to hostile Gentiles, Paul’s friends begged him not to go. Even Luke, Paul’s dear friend, coworker, physician, and author of Acts, was among those who pleaded with him not to go (v. 12). Isobel Kuhn informed her mother, the leader of her church’s ladies missionary group, that she felt called to China. Her mother’s response was not joy or even hesitation, but anger: “You will go to China over my dead body!” Not too long after this, her mother became ill with cancer and died. Isobel went to China.

Weaknesses, Insults, Distresses, Persecutions, and Difficulties

In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul references several obstacles that can challenge one’s resolve: “Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (NASB^[4]).

This is quite a list, but it can be summarized this way:

• Weakness (physical, emotional)
• Normal challenges of ministry = “difficulties” [tight spots; hardships], “distresses”
• Blatant opposition: “insults” and “persecutions”

Note Paul’s reverse view of these issues. Instead of being hindered by them, he saw God’s opportunity to make him strong and victorious in all the challenges. It is possible to say, “None of these things move me!” and experience God’s strengthening.

Do you need to get to the point where you can say, “None of these things move me? That is the way not only to finish your course mapped out by the Lord, but to finish it with joy!