Don’t Quit Now

By Royce Frederick

He was ahead of his opponents. But he could not yet see the goal. He had run so far. The way was so perilous. And his body was so weak.

The joy with which he had started was now drowning in doubt. With a sorrowful sigh, he abandoned his quest, and surrendered to the sleep of defeat.

Just around the next bend was the finish line, where the joy of victory would have been his.

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom. 13:11-14).

Did you obey the gospel long ago? Have the cares of this life blocked your view of the goal? Have problems with debts, illness, and strife overwhelmed you? Have your friends departed from God’s word to follow men’s teachings and practices? Has the faithlessness of others discouraged you?

You’ve come so far! What a tragedy it would be to give up now — what an eternal loss for you and others.

Keep your “eye of faith” on the goal, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).

Others are following you. Your actions will have the most influence on those you love the most. If you give up now, they may do the same. But if they see you remaining faithful in spite of all your troubles, your faith may inspire them to follow you all the way to heaven!

Don’t waste all those years of study, prayer, and service. Don’t quit now, “...for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”