Regrettably, people quit the church every year. Think back over the last 12 months and look around every Sunday. The odds are that someone in attendance this year will be out of their seat next year. Will it be you? The Bible continually warns us. "To them who by patient continuance in well doing see for . . eternal life . . let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Romans 2:7; Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 3:13)
Jacob held on because he wanted a reward (Genesis 32:24-55). Jacob wrestled with an angel until the break of day. Why did he not quit? Why not give up? Because he wanted a blessing! He had a reward in mind and would not quit until he received it. Christians are in a wrestling match as well (Ephesians 6:12). We grow older and get tired. Why do we not give up? Because we have our minds fixed on our reward. (Revelation 21; John 14:1-3)
We want to go to heaven! The Bible often dangles the carrot of reward in front of us to keep us racing to the goal: "beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain . . Together let us keep the faith (1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Hebrews 3:6; James 5:7; 2 John 1:8). To be continued . .