Needed Characteristics for Making an Impact
Acts 20:24
“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.”
The Apostle Paul made an impact for Christ with his life. There is no doubt that we are influenced today by Paul’s ministry. I would imagine every Christian would want to make the same type of impact with their life that the Apostle Paul did. I find in the verse above the characteristics needed to make an impact with your life.
First, Paul wasn’t easily moved from serving Christ. He said, “But none of these things move me,…” He was talking about his bonds and afflictions. Though he endured many hardships, they didn’t move him to quit. You will never make an impact with your life if you allow hardships to move you to quit. Hardships are going to come, but you must determine to keep on going. When pain compels you to quit, you must keep on going. When disappointment in leadership calls for compromise, you must keep on going. When death tells you there is no more purpose, you must keep on going. When heartache pressures you to abandon your cause, you must keep on going. You will never make an impact if you are easily moved.
Second, Paul wasn’t concerned with what happened to him. He said, “…neither count I my life dear unto myself,…” Paul had no restrictions on God’s will for His life. He served God with every fiber of his being. You will never make an impact if you hold back effort. If you act with a concern about avoiding battles, then you will not make an impact. You can’t live your life with a concern of burning out if you want to make an impact. If you are going to make an impact, you cannot put physical restrictions on your life. You must go all out if you are going to make an impact.
Third, Paul stayed focused on having a good attitude while finishing his course. He said he wanted to finish his course “with joy.” You won’t make an impact in your world if you allow the battles and heartaches of life to influence your attitude. Those who make an impact with their life keep a good attitude in spite of what they face.
Fourth, Paul made sure nothing sidetracked him from the ministry. He said that he wanted to finish his course in the ministry. You will find there will be many things that will try to sidetrack you from what God wants you to do, but you must not allow these things to pull you off course. Many times the things that can pull you off course are worthy of attention, but you must realize that the ministry God’s called you to is of more importance.
Fifth, Paul stayed focused on Jesus Christ. You will never make an impact with your life if you get wrapped up in personalities. The only personality you should wrap your life around is the personality of Jesus Christ. He is Who we serve, and He alone is the only One Whom you should lift up.
Finally, Paul made an impact with his life because he never lost focus of the purpose of spreading the Gospel. You must realize that your purpose for being on this Earth is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter if you are a full-time servant of the LORD or if you are a layman, your purpose in this world is to spread the Gospel.
Christian, this world needs people who will make an impact with their life. Do you see an area where you lack in these characteristics? I challenge you to work on that area so that you can make an impact for Christ with your life.