KOKO!
Bob Jones, Sr. used to say, “The test of a man’s character is what it takes to stop him.” Have you ever known a Christian to give up? Maybe they were serving God faithfully until someone in their church was unkind to them. Or perhaps they had a financial difficulty and were so discouraged that they stopped attending church, in essence giving up on God. Another reason some people quit serving God is because of a failure. Sin is humiliating, and often a person that has failed spiritually will step back from serving God out of embarrassment. Also, there is a tendency to think that because a person cannot do the same ministry they used to do, they can no longer serve in the church. Lastly, fatigue causes many Christians to quit.
As a teenager I was challenged with a sermon, KOKO! Keep On Keeping On! Going forward for Christ often requires a renewed commitment to obedience and sacrifice. First of all, we should expect that the life fully surrendered to God is not going to be easy. Jesus warned his followers in the Sermon on the Mount that the path of discipleship is difficult. Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (The word translated “narrow” is also translated as affliction, trouble, and tribulation.) So we should not be discouraged when we face adversity, but realize this is part of serving Christ! Also, we cannot let a failure sideline us from serving God. Sin has consequences that must be faced, but only God can decide when He is done working through us. As long as we have life, we should be doing our best to serve Him. God offers forgiveness and encourages us to get up and keep going. Proverbs 24:16a For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: If you feel that sin has eliminated your ability to serve God, remember that David continued serving God after his sin of adultery and murder was publicized. Once he had confessed his sin, (Psalm 51) God dealt with it and he was able to serve God again. After receiving forgiveness, David was allowed to gather the materials for the temple! Finally, just because a person cannot do what they used to, does not mean they should do nothing. Even when sight, hearing and mobility fade, a Christian must still pray, praise and testify. There are new opportunities for service that need to be considered and accepted as we continue to grow in Christ.
Consider these verses and understand the Bible word “faint” means to “quit.”
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Never stop praying!
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. Physical weakness is no excuse for spiritual weakness!
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. There is a reward if we don’t quit!
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Christ is our example and fatigue is not a reason to quit mentally!
Dear Senior Saint, are you serving God in every way possible, or have you “retired from the ministry?”
Caleb was eighty-five years old when he asked Joshua to let him fight the giant Anakims for the land that he was to inherit from God. (Joshua 14:6-15) What giants are you willing to battle, if God wants you to? Keep on Keeping On!