DON'T GIVE UP

The following passage in Scripture speaks of our current generation. Prophesy is unfolding before our very eyes ... 

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Satan has been ratcheting up his 'end-time' campaign of evil ... planting a delusion into the minds of those who oppose God. The lost are seeking to establish a devilish 'progressive' idealogy that believes sin is acceptable if done in the name of 'tolerance'. 

Furthermore ... the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being rejected as old-fashioned hateful rhetoric, meant to stifle one's freedom to 'be' or 'do' whatever a reprobate heart desires. 

The Lord's warning could not be more clear ... Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. (Isaiah 5:20)

Regardless of how hopeless the trajectory of this world seems ... or how difficult it is to navigate ... or how bruised we are in the battle; Christians are called to persevere.

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Several factors can cause people to consider 'giving up' ... 

1. Discouragement ... When we endeavor to do that which is right in God's sight and yet don't see the results we expect, we question our purpose, and giving up becomes an option. An eternal perspective with eyes fixed on Christ must be adopted.  

2. Pride ... If we pridefully take on the challenges of this life in our own strength, the resulting failure can wound our ego. When a man is embarrassed, confronted, or challenged, he will insist on giving up. Lay that desperate need to be acknowledged aside. 

3. Exhaustion ... We have to pace ourselves so that we don't become so mentally, physically, spiritually, or emotionally exhausted that 'giving up' seems to be the only way of relief. Renewed strength comes when we slow down and spend time alone with our Savior. Rest for one's soul is found there.  

Sadly, some fall away because they were never truly followers of Christ in the first place. It’s what the Bible refers to as 'apostasy' ... They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. (1 John 2:19) 

If your faith is in Jesus Christ as Lord, have endurance in these 'last days'.

Finish well, pilgrim.