"Never Give Up, Never Give In!"

"Never Give Up, Never Give In!"

What's your price? No really, think about it! What is your price? They say every man has one, every man has a price. What would happen if we changed that truth? What if.....what if you didn't have a price? Now I want to view this from two perspectives, the first is what we would normally think about when we use that phrase "every man has a price." What amount of gain would persuade your decision and direction? Now there are many of us who are able to proclaim, "I don't have a price!" There are many of us who proclaim the Gospel, hold tight to our beliefs and convictions, and stand firm on truths that we tie ourselves to and would NEVER wave the flag of surrender in the plight of bribery! I would proudly say in the face of material wealth and gain "I DO NOT have a price!" In my heart, I believe there are still a few of us out there that can say the same. But that's not the surrender of principle I'm afraid of in our world today. See, that is the positive price of compromise but what about the negative price? Walk with me here, is there a point, a "price", a cost where you would say, "it's not worth it!" If it's true that every man has his "positive" price then the same would apply that every man has his "negative" price! Just as it's true that some would denounce Christ at the offer of one billion dollars, the same could be said that some would denounce Christ if it cost their home, money, and job! There are two perspectives to evaluate, can I be bought with a price, or can I be swayed with a cost! Many who can stand against the first have serious trouble dealing with the latter! Evaluate yourself, what could come my way where I would throw up my hands and quit the race? You may be saying, as you're reading this, that there is NOTHING that would cause me to denounce Christ, nothing that would cause me to walk away! My friend, I've watched men walk out of a church, never to return, because of something as petty as money, carpet, and the salary of the Pastor! I've watched sold out men of God, Pastor's, walk away because of the actions of another human being! What if your children were the cost, watch your children be beheaded or denounce Christ? What if your home was the cost, what if truly following Jesus meant no place to call home, your children had to live in a shelter? I've watched sold out Christians trade their relationship with the Lord for $1 more an hour on the paycheck! What if your

friendships were the cost? What if luxury was the cost? What if your comfort was the cost(by the way, this is ALWAYS one cost of discipleship!)? Some don't have commitment past "happy!" At the first glance or hint of trouble, at the first sign that it'll take a fight, at the first flicker of conflict they throw in the towel! Let me just tell you a powerful biblical truth,

"YOU WEREN"T CREATED TO QUIT!"

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The Lord Jesus said, "It's not my will that ANY should perish but that ALL should come to repentance!" He also said, "Those that endure to the END shall be saved!" I don't care if you have to limp, crawl, scrape, or be pushed across the finish line of Heaven, just FINISH! Just FINISH! Don't give up, don't give in, DON'T HAVE A PRICE! Nothing, the positive or the negative could EVER hold the weight of immortal value as your soul! Remember, everything worth having is worth fighting for! Keep Heaven as your goal and the Spirit as the means to that goal! There are four truths found in Paul's charge to young Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 4 verses 1-8. 

First, YOUR LIFE MUST BE CONTROLLED 

BY YOUR ACCOUNTABILITY TO GOD. 

Second, YOUR LIFE MUST BE CONSUMED 

WITH ACTIONS FOR GOD. 

Third, YOUR LIFE MUST BE COMMITTED, 

IN SPITE OF AFFLICTIONS, UNTO GOD. 

And lastly, YOUR LIFE MUST BE CULMINATED

IN THE ASSURANCE OF WHAT'S COMING FROM GOD! 

If you want to endure, you MUST hold to these principles! Paul, the old man, was telling Timothy, the young man, the path to the finish line! Paul was staring at the finish line as he penned verses 6-8, he said "I have fought a good fight, I've kept the faith, and I have finished my course. Henceforth(meaning: because of what he just stated) there is a crown of righteousness waiting!" WOW! So just hang on, fight, hold on to faith in the midst of the unknown, 

FINISH YOUR COURSE!

Matthew 10:22King James Version (KJV)

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mark 4:16-17King James Version (KJV)

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

2 Timothy 2:3King James Version (KJV)

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 6:15King James Version (KJV)

15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

2 Corinthians 4:17King James Version (KJV)

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Philippians 1:6King James Version (KJV)

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: