When to Quit being a Christian

When To Quit Being a Christian

“Quitting Too Soon”

Philippians 3:11-15

Everything in the scriptures points to the expectation that God’s people will be those who live the entire period of their discipleship in faithfulness and service (Re 14:13).

I. Paul’s steadfastness

A. His circumstance:

1. An old man – estimated between 60 and 64

2. An imprisoned man (in Rome)

3. A man who could already point to a life full of achievements in the gospel.

B. The current state (at the time of Philippians) of Paul

1. “Have not yet attained”–looked at himself as still needful of improvement and progression

2. “I press onward”... Still had “Attaining the prize” in front of him.

C. One who never DID quit.

1. Even as he claimed: 2Ti 4:6-8

2. ...Still in the process of serving God. If Paul had done everything, and was now entitled to sit back and wait for his reward, he doesn’t say so.

a. He still fights false teachers

b. He still is engaged in study.. “bring me the books and parchments” (2 Tim. 4:13).

c. He still is hoping to work more with his audience (“come to me before winter..”)

3. There can be little or no doubt that Paul continued in active service until time and physical conditions brought a halt to a life of full dedication to God.

4. Imagine Paul interviewed today. The question might come up, “why keep going, why work so hard when others can do it?” The answer: 2Cor.4:16-18

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S LIFE:

A. Good works – Eph 2:10; 1 Cor 15:58

B. Spiritual choices - Gal 5:19-23

C. Diligence toward others - Phil 2:1-5

D. Fervent in worship - John 4:23

WHICH OF THESE CAN WE “QUIT”?

III. THE SCRIPTURAL DEMAND: “Endure to the end”

Mt 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

A. STEADFASTNESS:

Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

B. ENDURANCE:

1. Moses “endured” Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

2. Abraham “endured” Heb 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

3. WE must “endure”:

a. 2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

b. 2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

c. Heb 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

d. 1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

IV. WHY DO PEOPLE QUIT? NO GOOD REASON!

A. Because of the time invested – we are talking of those who already have spent years in faithful service; facing temptation; defeating Satan, etc.– a tough thing to see those who have worked so hard in the past leave the LORD, but simple inaction is enough to leave God’s service. Attendance does NOT equal faithfulness!

B. Because of the progress in perspective – Many youth refuse to think that time will ever catch up with me, that I could about do as I pleased. Through a combination of deeper Bible study and simple observations about self and mortality, We can realize that one’s time on earth is both fragile and fleeting.

C. Because of the law of sowing and reaping–The Bible believer KNOWS that he will receive in the next life that which he is sowing in this one. He also knows that refusing to engage in active good is as sinful to God as being actively bad (Jas 4:17).

D. Because of the prospects for the one who endures! “We look upon the eternal”.

BUT, PEOPLE QUIT FOR VARIOUS REASONS:

a. For health reasons – Poor health is limiting, BUT, rarely precludes being an active child of God on some level (prayer, encouraging others, personal study and development, sharing the knowledge you do have, sharing in times of fellowship when possible, etc.)

b. Persistent peer pressure. - Sometimes we just tire of spiritual independence, standing firm in face of family and friends, so we just make compromises (which is the same as “quitting”)

c. Tiring of the constant struggle against evil and self.

Galatians 6:7-10

One Who Did Not Quit!

Phil 3:11-15

God Stresses the entire life!

Rev. 14:13; Gal 6:7-10

Where Paul was:

– An OLD man!

– A man IN BONDS!

– Near the end of a full life!

BUT:

–Not yet attained

–Must “press on”

–Strive for the prize

Later:

“Fought ..Finished..Kept”

2 Tim 4:6-8

BUT:

–Still fought error v. 14, 15

–Still studying v. 13

–Still planning future work

v. 9-11

HE DID NOT QUIT!

DISCIPLES LIFE:

–Good works - Eph 2:10

–Spiritual choices Gal 5

–Help others Phil 2:1-5

–Worship (“reverence paid!”) Phil 4:6

Which can we “quit”?

GOD DEMANDS:

Steadfastness ..Heb 3:14; 1 Pet 5:8,9; 1 Cor 15:58; 2 Pet 3:17

Endurance...Jas 5:11; Moses (Heb 11:27); Abraham (Heb 6:15);2 Tim 4:2,3

REASONS NOT TO:

–The TIME invested

–Progress in PERSPECTIVE

–Law of “sowing, reaping”

–The result of “staying”

REASONS PEOPLE QUIT:

–Health “reasons” (can serve God ANYTIME!)

–Peer pressure (get tired of it, give in)

–Quit struggling!

Gal 6:7-10

“He that soweth to the flesh..Be not WEARY....IN DUE SEASON,

REAP If faint not”!