I Shall Not Be Moved
The Apostle Paul wrote in Acts 20:24 “I shall not be moved.” According to Hebrews 12, the things of this world which can be shaken will be shaken. That which is shaken loose will be burned, for our God is a consuming fire. However the things of heaven, the things of the spirit of God in Christ in us shall not be moved…they shall last into eternity.
Acts 20:18-24 is Paul’s farewell address to his beloved fellow believers in Ephesus: “And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19. Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20. And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23. Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
Verse 24 in the Spanish translation says, “These things are of no value to me.” There is no moving value of the things of this earth. I shall not be moved from the course my Father has set before me. This is heart of the man of God…to value the things of the spirit of life in Christ. Our hearts are not tethered to the things of this world. Rather, our hearts are tethered to heaven. What is it that you treasure? What do you value most? Treasure not treasures upon earth but rather treasure treasures in heaven.
Death is the veil between life on this earth and God according to Isaiah. When Christ returns, he will tear down the veil of death. What a day of rejoicing that will be… When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!
Jesus, prior to his ascension said to his disciples, “you shall be baptized with Holy Spirit and with fire not many days hence.” For our God is a consuming fire. The things of this world will be burned up and come to naught. The things of this earth are ashes to ashes and dust to dust. However, that which is of the spirit of God in Christ in us is eternal.
Jesus said, Take heed and beware of covetousness for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of things which he possesses. According to Proverbs, everything that is of this world is vanity. Material things are a vapor lasting but for a moment.
The question is, do we value the things of the spirit of life in Christ above the things of this world? Through prayer, God calls us to dedicate the things of this earth to him…the things which God has entrusted to our keeping.
As Christians we can’t “make a deal with God.” The question for some Christians is, “how little can I do, what can I get away with and still be considered a Christian?” However, the prayer of a man of God is “Lord help me give my all to your honor and glory.” No one can out-give God. He is my sufficiency…he is our portion and our all in all. God is a God of abundance but the abundance of a man’s life consists not in the abundance of things which he possesses. According to Malachi, God said, “Bring ye all the tithes and offerings into the storehouse and prove me now herewith saith the Lord of hosts and see if I will not pour ye out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” The blessings go far beyond material things. Therefore treasure not treasures upon earth. They are here today and gone tomorrow. They shall take wings and fly away. Rather, treasuring treasures in heaven is an investment in eternity.
What is of lasting value? The things of earth shall grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. As Paul said, “I shall not be moved…. For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that (Holy Spirit) which he’s committed unto me against that day of righteous judgement.”
May we forever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael