The great commission is go and make disciples of all nations.

And the spirit of discipleship, or the heart of one who does exactly this, is:

1. How I KEPT BACK NOTHING that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house

2. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men

3. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, AND for those who were with me.

4. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I MAY FINISH MY RACE WITH JOY, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

5. So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Paul says, “Nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy.”

“HOW” do we finish my race with joy?

When I don’t count my life dear to me. Did Jesus finish His race? Did He count His life dear to Him?

“WHEN” do we finish the race? When we enter the fullness of joy of the presence of God. Did Jesus enter the fullness of joy which is the presence of God?

Which is the prize or crown of glory that is the crown of life reserved only for those who “finish the race”. Being all those who make it to the promised land “and enter”. Like Joshua and Caleb. Which is the fullness of joy reserved for those who enter the joy of the promised land. Which is those who “have been made to know the ways of life”, make the final step of crossing over the river Jordan of death and enter “the river of life” of the promised land of God which is “the fullness of joy of His presence.” “You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.” (Acts 2:28).

For as the account of Joshua and Caleb show, twelve made it all the way along “the way that leads to life” right up to the point of “entering that life”, but only two actually entered. Which is why the word of God says “difficult is the way that leads to life, AND FEW FIND IT” (Matthew 7:14). Which is why Matthew 22:14 also says, “MANY are called, but FEW are chosen”. Many were called (twelve - representing ALL the tribes of God’s people), but only two of the house of God finished the race.

Only two finished the race WITH JOY. Which is the FULLNESS of joy that is the FULLNESS of life (the “abundant life” of John 10:10), which is when “this mortal takes on the immortal and the perishable the imperishable”, and we enter “the fullness of life” that is the glorified body, so that we may enter “the fullness of joy” that is the glorious presence of God once again. As was “the way” of Adam before the fall. As was ‘the way” of Jesus before He came to earth, which is the pattern of the fall. That He may once more be reunited with His Father in heaven.

Which was when He crossed the “river Jordan of death” (for He did not count His life dear to Him) and took on the glorified body of “the fullness of life” and ascended into “the fullness of joy” that is “the promised land” of the presence of His Father. For 1 John 3:1-3 shows us that “we shall SEE Him when we are LIKE Him”: “but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). Which is to be able to enter His glory because we wear the glory of God that is the glorified body of the manifest sons. Being all those who finish the race. Where receiving the prize of the glorified body, as Paul says, is to “give you AN INHERITANCE among all those who are sanctified.”

Which Jesus did by (1) denying Himself, (2) taking up His cross (being CROSSing the river of Jordan of death), and (3) following His Father (Matthew 16:24). Which is the call to discipleship for all that is the way of those who want to enter “the joy of the presence of God”.

“And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”” ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭20:18-22, 24-28, 32-35‬).