Don’t Quit. Do It

by Zeke Flores

We love our friends and family, so we want to keep them from harm. When we know a certain course will lead to hurt or injury, we do what we can to persuade them otherwise.

That’s what Paul’s friends tried to do in Acts 21. A prophet warned that going to Jerusalem would only be dangerous for Paul. So, his friends did what friends do: They tried to talk him out of going. But Paul already knew that the way of the gospel would be hard. He already knew that suffering for Christ was his calling. He might have already known that eventually he would die for the cause.

Amazingly, Paul is not afraid. He will do what needs to be done to serve the Savior, even in hostile Jerusalem. He is compelled by the Spirit and committed to doing God’s will.

Paul’s example is a picture of someone who is rooted in Jesus. He is ready to be bound as a prisoner because he is already bound to Jesus.
So, he went to Jerusalem anyway.

See, Paul made up his mind that no matter where he went, no matter what he did, and no matter what lay in store, he would glorify Christ, even if it meant he got hurt in the process, and that was the key.

He. Made. Up. His. Mind.

Make up your mind.

"What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13).