I kneeled in worship, tears running down my face. In my heart I was telling God how hard these days had gotten. Parenting struggles are often enough to make me want to throw in the towel, some days it just seems like too much to bear and I wanted to give up. So, why don’t Christians give up when life gets hard?
Believers continue to persevere because we are given a purpose and a plan in Christ. Not only are we called to persevere, but we know that our purpose and plan won’t always be easy because the Bible tells us so. The most glorious part of all of this? We persevere in righteousness because He has given us eternal life, the ultimate prize, and out of gratitude, we are privileged to give our lives to him in return.
Our Purpose. As Believers, our pursuit of righteousness in this life comes with promise. We are to run straight to the goal, Jesus. We have a wonderful prize waiting for us at the end of our days (and now of course). Our purpose remains to pursue that prize and live righteously in this life. We have the privilege of not merely waddling along through a meaningless life, but living this life victoriously through Christ and during so, remaining in the pursuit of our prize while affecting those around us for the Kingdom of God. As believers, we all have the same general purpose, to make disciples. So if you’re confused about what God is calling you to, this is number one. More about that in a minute. Why don’t Christians give up? Reason #1 we have a purpose.
In our purpose easy? Heavens no! We are reminded in Galatians to not give up or grow weary of doing good. Our Lord knew this would be something we would struggle with, therefore he had Paul pen this letter of encouragement that now applies to us. I don’t know about you but sometimes I just need a note of encouragement. Let us not forget that the trials we face are all a part of His purpose for us and that they build in us the character He so desires.
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10 NASB
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Galatians 6:9-10 NASB
His Plan. During the time we spend here on Earth, God has a plan for us. Living out His plan and purpose for our lives go hand in hand. Our purpose is promised with a prize and in the meantime we undergo training! The plan is denying ourselves whatever may be potentially harmful for us and growing in discipline while we navigate the struggles of the world.
Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NASB
The things we do and actions we take, are to be planted and thus bear fruit for the work of the Kingdom of God. Once we become believers, we are adopted into this wonderful plan. The beautiful thing? That we aren’t left to “do” His plan alone. He left us a Helper to guide and direct us along the way accomplishing His purpose and His plans through us. His plan is that you undergo training to be qualified as the verse above shows. Life qualifies you!
His People. As His people, we bear His mark. The mark of love. His love is what sets us apart from unbelievers. We are commanded to love others, it’s not an option, and Jesus tells us that that is how others will know we are His. I don’t know about you, but I want to look like His.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 34-35
While we are his people called by his name to do his good works, one of those good works is to proclaim the name of Jesus and to make disciples. We are called to take the gospel to the ends of the Earth so that all people He created, have the opportunity to become His people. His plan for us while here on this side of Heaven is to reach out to unbelievers and to proclaim the name of Christ. Whether that be by living a holy life of example, discipling your children, going into uncharted territory as a missionary or evangelizing on the street corner, we are all called to make disciples and use the gifts he has given us to do so.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20 NASB
Our Prize. Now I briefly touched on “our prize” in the first section but I want to elaborate on that a little bit more. We see below in the Corinthians verse that our prize is a crown (a wreath) that will last forever well, Paul goes on to say in Galatians that our ultimate prize is eternal life. Everlasting life. One that NEVER ends in a perfect place with our perfect Father. Let that sink in for just a minute. Why don’t Christians give up when life gets hard? Because we already have the ultimate prize!
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
If you’re visual like me, the idea of “eternal life” may seem foreign to you. I always try to understand something visually first, so it’s hard for me to sometime comprehend this especially in the visual sense. Ask the Father to reveal a glimpse of eternal life to you! He is faithful! I’ve heard it said that eternal life isn’t the prize at the end of our lives alone, but also experienced (in a minute sense) amidst the beautiful blessings that we get to experience while we are here on this Earth. One of my favorite blessings is that we as daughters now have the option not to sin. Have you ever considered that? Before we knew Christ we were dead in our transgressions we had no option, no salvation, no rescue. We didn’t even have the option not to sin!
Now, not only do we have a choice, but we also have a Champion, a helper living inside of us, equipping, guiding, directing and teaching us all along the way. Do you know what else is a blessing? The very fact that we, as created beings get to experience love. Christ is love and he allows us the blessing of experiencing His very character and sharing it with others. We are capable of loving because He created and allows us to do so, that my friends is a prize on this side of heaven if you ask me!
We love, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
My prayer for you today is that you wouldn’t weary of doing good. Why don’t Christians give up? This walk, it’s hard, but remember we have a Champion in Christ, we’re not alone, He knows and He is faithful to meet us right where we’re at.
How can I be praying for you today? Please email me your prayers here through the contact page.
