Letters From Grandpa #316

LETTERS FROM

• GRANDPA
• 316

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will deal with “quitting”. Sometimes I quit, but Jesus didn’t quit! Nobody like a quitter and every time I quit I like myself a little less . . . but Jesus didn’t quit.

Someone said:

You remember Christopher Columbus . . . he didn’t quit! You remember Thomas Edison . . . he didn’t quit!

You remember Abraham Lincoln . . . he didn’t quit! Nobody remembers George Swartz . . . he quit!

But Jesus didn’t quit! When He came down to the last few days of His life He had a lot of opportunities to quit. He knew Judas was going to betray Him, but He let him do it anyhow. He could have tossed in the towel when He prayed in Gethsemane, but He didn’t do it. He could have called twelve legions of angels to rescue Him, but He didn’t do it. Jesus didn’t quit!

“Come down from the cross” was the sarcastic challenge of those who cried out for His crucifixion, but Jesus didn’t do it. Jesus didn’t quit! With every sinew and nerve in His bleeding body crying out for respite and rest He didn’t quit. He was faithful until death! While the sun hid it’s face in amazement and the earth trembled at the awesome spectacle of Calvary, Jesus Christ was faithful and true until His last responsibility had been faithfully completed. Then He cried out with a loud voice: “It is finished!” Then, and only then could He release His grasp upon life and yield up His Spirit to God! Then, and only then was it permissible for Him to relax His vigil and surrender to the shroud of death. It was finished! He had completed the work that God had given Him to do. The game of life was over and Jesus had won! But Jesus didn’t quit!

When I catch a glimpse of the courageous Christ I am challenged to hang in there for another day. When my eyes are blurred with sweat and tears I am emboldened by Christ to keep on trying. I somehow want to take another step when I remember that I am following in the footprints of Jesus. When the wet blankets of discouragement and doubt threaten to overwhelm my soul and smother out the flame of what little faith I have, I take another look at Calvary and smile with the confidence that Jesus didn’t quit, and I don’t have to quit either.

What a blessing it is to know in my heart of hearts that He that is within me is greater than he that is in the world. The Sovereign of the Universe has written me a promise that He will never leave me or forsake me. His Holy Word declares that I will never be tempted above what I am able to bear. I can be “more than a conqueror” through Him that loved me. I really don’t have to quit. Every resource in heaven and earth has been marshaled by God to ensure my victory. Nothing can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord.

The crown of life is not for those who start the race, but rather for those who complete it. The race of life is run before the inquiring eyes of angelic hosts and redeemed men. Through us the principalities and powers in heavenly places observe the manifold wisdom of God. Even the angels are vitally interested in what we do and rejoice each time a sinner is brought to repentance. Jesus didn’t quit, and I don’t have to quit either. I can fight another round, play another inning, run another

mile, teach another lesson, preach another sermon, pray another prayer, make another call, turn the other cheek, write another check . . . I DON’T HAVE TO QUIT!

The Bible has good news for us sinners. Jesus wants us to be saved. Peter denied Christ three times, but he got another chance. The prodigal son wasted his substance in a far country but he got another chance. They brought a woman to Jesus who was caught in the act of adultery, but she got another chance. God is long suffering toward us and is not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance. Even God, however, cannot save a quitter! If Judas had only come to the cross he could have been graciously forgiven. Whoever comes to Jesus was never be cast out. Judas, however, didn’t give Jesus a chance to forgive him. He gave up on God and he also gave up on himself. He quit like a coward and his name will forever be associated with infamy.

Don’t quit like Judas! When the going gets tough the Spirit intercedes with new power and strength. Be thou faithful unto death and you will receive the crown of life! Jesus didn’t quit on you, don’t you quit on Him! Hang in there, and have a real nice eternity!

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce