[248 words]
Jesus did not quit meeting with His disciples because Judas was a thief, nor because Peter was fickle at times. He did not quit preaching and living right because some of his brethren were unforgiving and unkind. He did not quit his post of leadership because He had in His presence the adulterous woman, a gang of Pharisees, or narrow-minded demon-worshipers. Jesus did not quit.
Did you quit? What was the reason for it? Any reason you might name, Jesus could have given the same. He had every reason to be discouraged. His own disciples were so slow to learn. His enemies were so bent on His destruction. But He did not quit. He said, “Know ye not that I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49)? And when the end of his earthly life was in sight, Jesus said to His Father, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). He did not quit. He finished His task.
When you come to the end of life can you say, “I have finished the work God has given me to do”? Will you stand before the judgment bar of God and admit that you were a quitter? Eternal life is promised to those who endure to the end (Matthew 10:22). There will be no consolation in the judgment day to point back to your baptism unless you can also point back to a life of faithful endurance.
Raymond C. Kelcy, deceased
(Former preacher/Bible Professor at Oklahoma Christian)