Why I Don't Quit, and What I Am Not Giving Up On!

You might be surprised “Why I Don’t Quit.” You see the other day, and to be honest many days, the thought, “I want to quit.” went through my mind. Does that happen to you? If you are a Christian, I bet it does. But quit what?

I certainly don’t want to quit being a Christian. I love being born again. I love knowing that when I die, I for sure am going to heaven. I love knowing that nothing can separate me from the love of God. I love knowing that I am never alone no matter what the fear or trial. I love telling my children the stories of the Bible. I love that God, the only true God, is so amazing that I have no doubt “He can beat ‘your’ God.” I love that my faith in the Bible and in Jesus has so much science and historical evidence to back it up that my faith can be more than blind, but an educated faith. I don’t want to quit being a Christian. There is no one better to be than a Christian.

Then what are all these thoughts about “I want to quit.” about?

Because being born again can be “easy.” I honestly could do whatever I wanted and still go to heaven. What’s so hard about that?

Then I look at Jesus. I look at the disciples of Christ. I look at Paul. I look at Timothy. I look at Aquilla and Priscilla. I look at Apollos. I read the Proverbs. I see the history of Bible-believers and how the culture changing revivals. I look at missionaries and what they do to spread the gospel in regions across the world. I see the true meaning of a disciple and it dawns on me; I want to quit learning and speaking up about the Bible.

Speaking Up and Out, Like Jesus.

It is obvious that Jesus went around speaking, teaching and preaching. He went to the sinners, but very often it is recorded that He went into the synagogues. In that culture, the synagogues weren’t like churches as we view them today. There was a large open place where people mingled and in those days it was like a marketplace.

It was there that Jesus spoke, opened the Bible and preached. It was much like street preaching today … except to the religious crowd.

Jesus also did personal work by meeting and eating with sinners, publicans and individuals like the Samaritan woman. Yet, everywhere Jesus went, God was in His conversation, and Jesus always addressed their sin FIRST. This people would never come to Him as King if they didn’t see their need for a Saviour.

Mat_4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mar_1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mar_6:12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

Luk_13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luk_13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

But that was Jesus. He had the authority to address sin. Who am I? Why would I want that hassle? You don’t make friends by pointing out sin!

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

But our command from Jesus, is to spread the gospel and then goes further and tells us to teach and observe “all things” whatsover I have commanded you.

Let me tell you. It is one thing to share with someone the gospel. That is exciting. That is thrilling. It is another thing entirely to tell a bush tribe that their idols need to be given up and that their “traditions” are not just their culture, but demon worship. THAT is hard. THAT is what causes tribes to kill missionaries.

What’s a missionary to do? Do they just live differently and hope the new Christian catches on, or do they teach the baby Christians what the Bible says?

According to Jesus, we teach them “all things” that He commanded. This is an integral part of being a Christian because Jesus again said,

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

The Great Commission goes beyond just the gospel. It is this teaching “all things” and the “commandments” that is hard. But that is what it takes to love Jesus.

Still, when the going gets tough in my life, and the temptation to quit arises; I start to think, “Well, did Jesus REALLY mean that?” or did He mean to teach them to give out the gospel just like He commanded the disciples to do? I started looking at our heroes and what THEY did.

Speaking Up and Out, like Stephen.

Stephen was one of the first martyrs of the New Testament church. What caused his death? He spoke up. He spoke out to the public so much that they were not able to resist his wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. For this, they killed him. (Acts 6:9-12)

Stephen spoke an entire chapter of the Bible into existence. He taught them Scripture and history and took quite of bit of time and detail explaining to them the truth. Then what happened? They killed him.

What was the good in that? By all accounts it looked like Stephen had done harm to the gospel. He caused a riot. He brought defame to the disciples. His ministry ended. But the story doesn’t stop there.

Act 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Speaking Up and Out, like Paul (Saul)

What happened is that one man’s heart was convicted. One man! Just one!

Stephen didn’t speak up because of Saul. He spoke up because it was what Jesus commanded. BUT Saul got convicted.

My next hero of the faith is Paul (formerly known as Saul). Paul wrote to US; you and me. New Testament Christians. He was our apostle. Most everything part of our practical instruction in daily life and doctrine was given to us by Paul.

He didn’t just instruct us. He told us (by divine leading) to follow his example, and others who follow his example.

Php 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

What was his example? One of speaking up and out.

1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1Co 15:11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

He didn’t even care about everyone’s motives for speaking up and out. (Phil. 1:15-18)

Preaching is speaking up and out. Preaching is an aggressive form of speaking. It is expounding and persuading people with words.

“But what about me?” I ask. I am not a man. I am not a pastor. I am not a missionary. I am not an evangelist. I am a just a lay person.

I was in church the other night and the preacher was talking about holiness and our call as Christians. He spoke of the judgement seat of Christ; which is to Christians. It is a different judgment than the Great White Throne Judgement.

The preacher expounded about the importance of us being holy and persuading others in holiness because some day we will all give an account of How. We. Live. It is out of love for other’s and the fear of the Lord that Paul told us this.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
2Co 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Persuading people is a verbal, passionate speaking up and speaking OUT. This chapter is in no way directed for believers to unbelievers. This is that part of the great commission that is for believers to other believers. Teaching “all things” and persuading them; due to the terror of the Lord.

But then Paul continues in that passage speaking and persuading us all that we are new creatures. Our old sins are to pass away (which they are in Christ) but that we are to WALK as new creatures. That is our part of being disciples.

We are to PERSUADE Christians to LIVE like Christians; because of our judgement.

2Co 5:13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
2Co 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Speaking Up and Out, Like an Ambassador

We must not forget that we are ambassadors for Christ.

It is the duty of an ambassador that makes me want to quit. I want to quit my JOB as a Christian. Being an ambassador is not easy. I don’t like rejection. I don’t like being a martyr. I don’t like affliction and persecution. I don’t like my motives being judged. I don’t like it when people say that the cause of Christ would be better off if I would just stick to “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” and go no further. I don’t like losing friends. I don’t like my name being a mockery. I don’t like being made fun of. I don’t like the mental battles and the second guessing that goes on in my brain. I don’t like walking past people and wondering if they hate me and wish I’d go away. I don’t like being an outcast.

I read in the book “Hook, Line and Sinker” by Cary Schmidt this quote.

Are you willing to be thought of as extreme? Are you willing to have your ‘understanding enlightened’ so that you can clearly see the spiritual threats that lurk and plot against your child and your life? Are you willing to be labeled as part of a ‘lunatic fringe’ that goes too far’ spiritually? That will be the price of winning this war. In seeing what most do not, you will be required to take your stand, fully commit to Christ, and chart the course upstream! You will be a cultural outcast.

If that doesn’t describe the life of a committed, sold-out ambassador for Christ, I don’t know what does. It is THAT kind of lifestyle that I want to quit. But keep reading and you will see Why I Don’t Quit and why you should keep on too.

Speaking Up and Out, Like Jeremiah

The book of Jeremiah has become very real to me as of late. When I read Jeremiah 23 it is a perfect example of the last days and how God feels about the False doctrine, False prophets and False christs that are preached.

But about the matter of speaking up and out, I very much relate to Jeremiah. No one wanted to hear about the Sabbath Day. No one wanted to hear about God’s commands. Everyone wanted the pastors that told them that God would bless them and never spoke of their sin. God’s true prophet was given a different message.

Jeremiah was to go to the parts of the city where everyone was and speak out against their sin … and they still didn’t obey. Their response was not Jeremiah’s responsibility though. His job was to speak out. (Jer. 17:19 – 23)

But even Jeremiah got tired of the job and the ridicule and wanted to quit; and he did quit.

Jer 20:7 O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
Jer 20:8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.
Jer 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Jer 20:10 For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.
Jer 20:11 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

Jeremiah 20:9 is why I don’t quit and why I can’t stop speaking up and out. God’s word is in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones. I can’t keep it in. I get weary of forbearing. I am filled with the love of God. I am filled with the love of God’s word. I am filled with the love of holiness. I am filled with my love for God’s people.

I am filled with the fear of the judgement. I am filled with the fear of Christian’s staying in the church, but falling into sin. I am filled with grief for the blasphemy of Christ’s name being run through the muck and mire of sin. I am filled with truth that needs to be told. I am filled with passion and fire and I. Must. Speak. Out. God’s Word.

ALL OF IT. Just like Jesus said.

Speaking Up and Out, Like the Disciples

Act 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Daily in the temple (to the religious). Daily in every house (to the lost and religious alike). They did not stop. They didn’t cease. They taught and preached Jesus. They were both educational and forceful. They persuaded men everywhere. This was their passion. This was their call. This is OUR call. This is what Jesus told us to do.

I can’t help think of these same disciples and how they were beaten and imprisoned for speaking up. People were being convicted of their sin. People were repenting. Lives were being changed. But they were told to STOP speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.

Act 4:16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
Act 4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
Act 4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Act 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
Act 4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Act 4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

But they didn’t stop preaching or teaching. They just had to speak up. It is what Jesus had told them personally and it was something that was real to them. They had to share it, and “all men glorified God for that which was done.”

They said, you can judge us. That is fine. But we are going to speak up. If they didn’t quit that is another good reason for Why I Don’t Quit.

Speaking Up and Out . You must love others more than your own life.

Every disciple but John died a martyr’s death.

Jeremiah was imprisoned and tortured.

Jesus was put on the cross.

Paul was beaten, tortured, imprisoned and utterly rejected by “all of Asia.” (2 Tim. 1:15)

But what did he tell the church? He spoke of persecution and how people would be forbidden to speak about salvation and sin. (1 Thess. 2:14-16)

What did he tell Timothy about the latter days? He told him to keep reading, to keep focusing on doctrine and to keep exhorting and speaking up. (1 Tim. 4:13)

He told Timothy to avoid foolish and unlearned questions that gender strifes. Stay away from the scorners, Timothy. Hang around those that love truth and are of a pure heart. Preach truth and doctrine, Timothy. Be gentle in your communications to all men, apt to teach, patient. (2 Tim. 2:22-26)

Especially in the last days, Paul spoke of being patient, longsuffering and teaching truth so that people can “recover themselves out of the snare of the devil” and “repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”

This is a ministry of LOVE for OTHERS. Loving others is a reason Why I Don’t Quit.

Speaking Up and Out – In the last days

II Timothy, I Cor 2-3, and Jeremiah are my life passages currently. Folks, we are in the last days. (2 Tim. 3:1)

People will not leave their churches. They will stay. They will just not stand for truth to be told. They will be full of sin and a form of godliness. That Laodicean church. (2 Tim. 3:2-5)

This religious crowd will stand against truth being spoken up and out, because they are sneaky; not bold, and they appeal to our own lusts; to which we women are specifically susceptible. (2 Tim. 3:6)

They keep reading blogs, and books … but reject truth. (2 Tim. 3:7)

They don’t just reject truth; they stand against it. (2 Tim. 3:8)

Yet, Paul describes the true marks of a faithful disciple; Notably he lists doctrine before his lifestyle. (2 Tim. 3:10)

What did he receive for all of this speaking up and out? Persecution, and God didn’t even deliver him out of them all. (2 Tim. 3:11-12)

Paul speaks again of the seduction and deception in the last days. (2 Tim. 3:13)

But he encourages Timothy to keep on in those old ways; those things he learned as a child; the scriptures. He told Timothy to first; speak up and to teach doctrine (very divisive), secondly; to reprove (a very aggressive speech), third; to correct (a rather direct approach of speaking out against error), and fourth; to instruct in righteousness (specific teaching about sin and holiness). (2 Tim. 3:14-17)

This is our instruction in the last days. This is what makes me want to quit. I want to quit being an “Onward Christian Soldier.” I want to be a QUIET Christian. I want Satan to stop messing with my mind. I want to be liked.

But I am reminded of Christ. Because of His love, He gave His own life to tell the truth. (John 15:17)

They hated Him. (John 15:18)

They will hate you. (John 15:19-20)

But don’t question whether you ought to speak up and out. You are in good company. Be gentle. Be passionate. Be full of truth. Avoid foolish questions. Hang around others who love truth. The hate is without cause. (John 15:25)

Speaking Up and Out – I mean you.

Yes! Tell the gospel. Tell it to everyone you meet. Yes! Share the love of God. Yes! Be kind, forgiving and live a life of a good testimony. Yes! Do good unto all men, especially those of the household of faith. Yes! Visit the widow and fatherless. Yes! Be unspotted from the world.

But that is not the end of it, Christian friend. Don’t be afraid to be different. Don’t be afraid to be an outcast. Don’t be afraid of the mental battles. Don’t be afraid to walk alone. Don’t be afraid to speak up and out.

I am thinking of a young man that has his whole life in front of him to serve the Lord. Don’t Quit.

I am thinking of a single, young lady who is being dragged down by some older Christian ladies who are letting go of “the old ways.” Get away from them. Don’t Quit.

I am thinking of those friends of mine who feel like they too are alone in the fight. Don’t Quit.