Here Paul addresses the Ephesian elders, with whom he has spent the last two years, and knowing that he will not see them again his address is just full of emotion. Let's look at verses 20-24:
Paul preaches two things: repentance toward God, and faith in Jesus Christ. If you're looking for an example of how to share the gospel faithfully look no further. For without these two things no sinner can escape God's wrath, but praise be to God that with these two none will come short of eternal life!
So Paul is compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. He only knows that he will suffer and be put in prison when he gets there. What an incredible example to us this action is. Having enough information to make a decision does not always mean you know exactly how that decision will turn out. Yet Paul faithfully travels to Jerusalem, and he makes one of my favorite statements in the whole Bible:
"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."
As children of God our ministry is the same as Paul's—to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Is your life so valuable to you that you must use it to do what you alone want to do? Or can you say with Paul that you have truly given your life to serving God, by sharing with others the marvelous work of grace he has done in your heart?
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