For these 2 months....

TOUGH SAYINGS FROM A TENDER HEART
September-October 2007

'and he will be ... a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.'
Isaiah 8:14

Many people focus on the words of Jesus that appeal to them and ignore those they find puzzling or offensive. Their sole desire is to be comforted. The result? A form of Christianity devoid of power.

Jesus, with His tender heart of love, knows it is only as we are challenged that we change. In this issue Selwyn Hughes examines ten of Jesus's tough sayings – sayings that cut across our preconceived ideas and cause us to re-evaluate our lives.

Jesus is looking for out-and-out disciples. Are we willing to consider His sayings about what complete commitment involves?

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All the way

Luke 5:27-28; Philippians 3:7-21

1. What was Paul's desire?

Paul's desire is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, we should press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

2. How did people live as enemies of the cross?

Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. To live by the cross is to deny everything and follow Christ immediately when He called us.

Give! Give! Give!

Acts 20:32-35

1. Why is less more?

The Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

Our God, when we obey Him, can build us up and give an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Philippians 4:10-19

2. What secret had Paul learned?

Paul said "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

The Gift of gifts!

Matthew 26:6-16

1. What motivated Judas?

Money motivated Judas to betray Jesus.

When Mary took expensive perfume to pour on Jesus' feet, Judas, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages."

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

John 12:1-16

2. Contrast the attitudes of the woman and Judas to wealth.

The woman gave up her wealth and property to serve the Lord while Judas betrayed the Lord so as to gain wealth.

Jesus told about Mary, "I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Be warned!

Deuteronomy 6:10-12

1. What was God's warning to the Israelites about prosperity?

When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

1 Timothy 6:6-19

2. Why may we experience many griefs and much evil?

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Who is master?

Matthew 6:1-4

1. How should we give?

Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:19-24

2. Why may it not be possible to serve God?

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

The money test

Proverbs 11:24-28

1. What happens to the person who gives away their wealth?

The person who gives away will gain even more. A generous man will prosper. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

Mark 12:41-44

2. What did Jesus commend a woman who gave only small coins?

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."

'A den of robbers'

1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20

1. What are we?

We are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you, whom we have received from God. We are not our own but bought at a price. Therefore honor God with our body.

1 Timothy 2:1-5

2. What should we do first of all

First of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Friend of sinners

Luke 7:34-50

1. As Simon looked at the woman what did he see?

Simon see the woman as a sinner.

2. What did Jesus see?

Jesus see the woman as humble and of faith to seek for forgiveness of sin. She even used perfume to wash Jesus feet.

The heart of the matter

Ezekiel 36:26

1. What does God desire?

God says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

Luke 18:9-14

2. What was the focus of the Pharisees?

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Compassion vs custom

Matthew 12:7-14

1. Why did Jesus heal on the Sabbath?

Jesus desires mercy, not sacrifice.

He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.

Luke 13:10-17

2. How did the Pharisees react to these miracles?

The Pharisees were humiliated yet reacted indignantly to the miracles. They even went out to plot how they might kill Jesus.

You can't get away

Matthew 23:1-5

1. What did the Pharisees do?

The Pharisees do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. "Everything they do is done for men to see.

They are full of greed and self-indulgence. They are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside they appear to people as righteous but on the inside are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Matthew 23-28

2. What did the Pharisees neglect?

The Pharisees neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. They should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

One body!

Romans 3:1-12

1. What are the differences between Jews and Gentile?

The Jews were entrusted with the very word of God.

But in fact, the Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

Romans 15:5-13

2. What is the basis of accepting one another?

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy.

'Whoever will may come'

Romans 10:9-13

1. What determines God's blessing of salvation?

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Galatians 3:6-14

2. How is a Gentile believer a child of Abraham?

Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through you." So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Christ Jesus redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Himself, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

A Gentile's recognition

Romans 3:29-30

1. What do Jews and Gentiles have in common?

Our God is the God of Jews and also the God of Gentiles. There is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

Galatians 3:21-29

2. What no longer exists in Christ?

Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

God of outsiders

Ephesians 2:11-3:9

1. What has Christ destroyed?

For Christ himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

2. What mystery did Paul reveal?

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

We are to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery.

Almost a lynching

Acts 10:1-11:4

1. What did God teach Peter?

It is of well aware that it is against the law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown to Peter that he should not call any man impure or unclean. So when he was sent for, he came without raising any objection.

Peter said "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

2. How did the believers react?

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."

Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened.

Tough words!

Romans 12:9-21

1. How can we love sincerely?

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

1 Peter 3:8-12

2. How should we repay evil?

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Equal doses

Romans 14:13-15:3

1. How can we truly love others?

If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."

Philipians 2:1-5

2. Whose interests should we promote?

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

The rule of reciprocity

2 Samuel 9:1-13

1. How did David show unrepayable love?

David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

Then David said to Mephibosheth, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."

Romans 5:1-8

2. How did God demonstrate the nature of agape love?

Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Get off your donkey

Luke 6:32-36

1. Contrast sinner's love with disciples' love.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

1 John 3:11-24

2. How do we know we have eternal life?

Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

One-legged law

Luke 23:32-34

1. How did Jesus follow His own teaching?

When Jesus was crucified, at the point near death, he said "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Christ suffered for us, leaving you an example, that we should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For we were like sheep going astray, but now we have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Acts 7:54-60; 1 Peter 2:21-25

2. Why was Stephen a faithful disciple?

While the crowd were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

He was faithful as he loved his enemy as himself even to the point of death.

Staying the course

Matthew 25:34-45

1. Why may we miss opportunities to serve Jesus?

Whatever we do for our brothers, we do it for Jesus.

Thus, whatever we do not do for our brothers, we do not serve Jesus.

James 1:22-27

2. Why may we be deceived when we read scripture?

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Fidelity to opportunity

Proverbs 24:30-34

1. What lesson was learned?

A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest-
and poverty will come on you like a bandit
and scarcity like an armed man.

Luke 19:11-16

2. What mistake was made?

A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return.

But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'

God's generosity

2 Corinthians 8:1-7

1. What was special about the Macedonians' giving?

1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

2. How are we to give?

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us —see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

Significant boundaries

Colossians 3:22-24

1. Why should we be careful?

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

1 Corinthians 3:6-15

2. What does Paul explain about our earthly work?

We can plant a seed, water the seed, but eventually it is God who made it grow.

Each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

The rate for the job

Genesis 37:1-4

1. What does our attitude to others being blessed reveal about us?

When Joseph's brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

We tend to be self-centred and jealous, or even angry when we see others being blessed.

Ephesians 2:1-10

2. Why does God give us what we don't deserve?

It is because it is by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Targeting the right people

Matthew 7:24-29

1. What did the wise and foolish men have in common?

The wise men who hear the Word of God but do not put it into practice will be like the foolish men who didnt even heat the Word itself.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

2. What help do we have to understand scripture?

God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment.

Our own funeral

Romans 12:1-6

1. What should we offer to God?

We should offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritua act of worship.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Galatians 6:14

2. How should we continue to live?

May we never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is self cancelled?

Esther 3:13-4:16

1. Of what did Mordecai remind Esther?

Mordecai told Esther "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"

2. How did Esther view her own life?

Therefore Esther replied "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."

She view her own life as for the Jews, not for herself only.

Christo-centric

Galatians 5:25, Colossians 3:1-17

1. What do we crucify of the self?

We are to crucify ourselves with whatever that belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Also we must rid ourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.


2. What do we resurrect?

We resurrect with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Self-surrender

1 Kings 3:5-14

1. How did Solomon show his lack of self interest?

The LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

Solomon answered, "give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."

Acts 20:22-25

2. How did Paul consider his life?

Paul, compelled by the Spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. He only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns that prison and hardships are facing him.

However, Paul consider his life worth nothing, if only he may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.