Because it's always too soon to quit

Paul writes to Timothy, giving one of the most widely known Bible phrases in history:

[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
[11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
[12] Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

"Notice verse 12 doesn't say "fight the good fight of THEE faith," meaning the doctrine, says Richard Jordan. There's a struggle you have every day to take the truth you know and make it applicable in your life.

Circumstances come up and you have a struggle--"Do I take what God says is truth and obey it there, or do I just go on my previous resources?"

Sometimes you go on your previous resources and realize, "Oops, I didn't take that into consideration," and you have to back up. But it's a struggle of the application of truth to your life.

Timothy walked through Paul's life and saw him do that over and over and over again! That's a valuable kind of thing.

Paul writes, "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." I love that verse in Corinthians that says "the more I love the less I'm loved."

When you practice Ephesians 4:32 nobody can insult you: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

It's a matter of faith. It's a matter of the good fight of faith in the face of insult, injury. That works. Endure affliction. When the C&S Gang (circumstances and situations) come and start beating on you, your endurance is in Christ. It's going to come. Do the work of an evangelist. Make full proof of your ministry.

That's saying, "Don't stop. Don't quit." In Colossians 4:17, Paul says, "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it."

It's always too soon to quit. Might not seem like it; circumstances might not agree with that, but it's always too soon to quit.

Accountability is what grace allows you to be. The idea that you're responsible without accountability is not grace. If you can't look at your failures honestly, you can't put them off. 

How you will be dealt with at the Judgment Seat of Christ is on the basis of faith; not condemnation, not shame, not reproach. You'll be able to look at it the way God looks at it through the blood of Christ.

When you learn to do that daily in your life, then the Judgment Seat of Christ won't be something you fear. When you see people fearing it, it's because they don't understand the grace life. You CAN be responsible; that's how you grow.

*****

In the Cross of Christ I Glory, written by John Bowring in 1825, is generally considered to be one of the finest hymns ever written on the subject of the Cross.

Englishman Bowring, considered one of the greatest linguists who ever lived, was said to have been able to converse in over 100 different languages before his death!

"The tune for this hymn was composed 24 years after Bowring’s text by an American organist and choir leader of the Central Baptist Church of Norwich, Connecticut," explains on online summary.

"The composer, Ithamar Conkey, was sorely disappointed at one Sunday morning service when only one choir member appeared, a faithful soprano by the name of Mrs. Beriah Rathbun. Before the evening service, Conkey composed a new tune for this text and named it after his one faithful choir member."

 1. In the cross of Christ I glory,

Towering o'er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

2. When the woes of life o'ertake me,

Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me;
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

3. When the sun of bliss is beaming

Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.

4. Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,

By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.