Quitters in the Bible - Quitters...The Series Pt.3

This is a repost by Jeff Smith titled Famous Quitters

We've all heard the statement that "Quitters never win." This is true because of their decision to give up and not try to gain the victory. Having this attitude has never worked in athletics, academics, or any other walk of life. It certainly won't work in the most important walk...our journey toward our eternal destination. Let's examine some "Quitters" found in the Scripture and see what we can learn from them.

w Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-18)

After his great victory on Mt. Carmel, the prophet becomes afraid of Jezebel's threats and flees for his life. God must speak to him, reassuring him that there was still "7000 who had not yet bowed the knee to Baal." He was to go back, for there was still much work to do.

w Jonah (Jonah 1-4)

This prophet was not willing to accept his mission to preach to an evil and ruthless people, the Assyrians. He learned the hard way that one cannot run from God and the obligations He places on us.

w Some of the 5,000 (Jn. 6:1-66)

Having been the beneficiaries of a miracle the previous day, those who were fed by Christ come looking for Him, obviously wanting more (v. 26). Jesus lets them know that He offers something far more important than physical sustenance - the "food that endures to eternal life" (v. 27). After the Lord says much more, they validate what the Lord already knew. They quit following because they were not that interested (v. 66).

w Judas Iscariot (Mt. 27:3-5)

We know all about Judas' character and motivation - money (Jn. 12:3-6). What obviously started with Judas as another means to gain money eventually turned into the most remorseful moment of his life. He could not bear to keep the money. When the attempt to return the "blood money" failed, he could not bear to live with himself. He committed the ultimate act of quitters - suicide.

What do we learn from these accounts? Quitting isn't the end unless we want it to be. Nothing of any value is ever gained easily. Therefore, we must persevere. If we have quit, we still have opportunity to repent and come back to God unless we are like Judas. So don't quit. If you have, repent before it's too late!!