I kept back nothing

I kept back nothing........✍
“And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house” Acts 20:20 KJV

We examined God’s selfless attitude to the world yesterday – how He communicates His love to us by given something that has no substitute and how He expects us also to cultivate such lifestyle. Today, we’ll look at a minister in the Bible who lived selflessly in view of many challenges he faced.

In Acts 20:17-27, there is an account of Paul’s speech to Ephesian elders. He was determined to go to Ephesus but that time he also desired to stay at Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost (Acts 20:16). “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church” (Acts 20:17) for a meeting.

On their arrival, he told them how he went to Asia and the kind of person he had been to them all the while (verse 18). In verse 19 he said, “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” (Acts 20:19).

Oftentimes he does say he serves God with humility and tears, “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil 3:18). In his address to the elders, he recalled his daily warning for the space of three years for sinners to repent.

When he mentioned tears; it wasn’t because of any physical weakness or emotional depression but his heaviness for unrepentant sinners, backsliders and those who openly despise the word of God. He daily imagined consequences of generation that refuse to give Christ chance to reign.

And in verse 20-21, he made striking statements, “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” This is also a selfless life. Remember he mentioned humility and serving God in soberness from a meek heart – These are things to note about the success of his ministry. For you to succeed also in the task God assigned for you whether in career, vocation or ministry, you must be humble and serve faithfully.

By saying ‘I kept back nothing’ he meant that he gave God his best in ministry. It is true people serve God but do they really give God their best? Do you give God your best time in worship, in attendance in Church-services? Aren’t you giving God your financial resources below the capacity He blesses you?

Paul preached whatever he knew was useful and needful for the salvation of his hearers. True preachers must likewise declare the whole truth of God to His people. We must avoid preaching to gratify the desires of people to gain popularity and fame. A sinner mustn’t be pampered but confront with the truth.

(FURTHER READING: Galatians 1:6-10; Philippians 2:1-11)