Paul travelled in a nice part of the world - around the Aegean Sea. But instead, he chose to go to Jerusalem where there would be persecution. He has a few final words to the Ephesians.
1. A true evaluation. Paul's view (v24) - I don't make my life precious. The 'free gift' of salvation is very costly. There are more precious things than our life. There are some things worth dying for. At the spiritual level, there is certainly something worth dying for (Hebrews 12:2). Magnifying God's glory is all that matters.
2. Finish the race. (v24). Being certain of our Salvation must never make us complacent. Hard times ahead (v29-31) for the Ephesians. False teaching often makes the 'finish line' about ourselves instead of God's glory.
3. Run well to finish well. (v17-20, 35) Paul refers back to his example. We glorify God by how we live. We need to stay focused on the race. (Hebrews 12:1) - throw off the things that hinder our race. (Romans 12:3-8). We are free from making 'self' the centre of life. (2 Timothy 4:7ff)
