The Apostle Paul encouraged the church of Corinth about overcoming the odds against them by trusting and believing in God in spite of the attacks and difficulties. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 4:1-18, the overall theme is "Don't give up now" or as the Apostle Paul says, "Don't lose heart".
I don't believe that saints of God start out seeking an opportunity to give up or throw in the towel. I believe that there are times in all of our lives when the conditions and circumstances in our lives are perfect for us to just give up. Have you ever been there? Have you ever felt like you had done all you knew to do, but your best seemed futile? Well, don't feel too bad. The bible is replete with men of God who reached that same point.
Look at Gideon, he wanted to give up because he felt that God had forsaken his people and Gideon had his own personal issues that served as an excuse for him to just give up. Take a look at Moses, when God first told him that he would be sent to Pharaoh to rescue the children of Israel. What did Moses do? He gave up and offered God some very good excuses, but God did not receive his excuses.
Child of God, God is not going to receive your excuses either. In fact, He is saying, "You cannot give up now!" Just look back over your life and reflect on where God has brought you from. He has rescued you time and time again.
You cannot give up because God has entrusted you with ministry. In fact, you have people that are assigned to you so that they can become a disciple of Jesus Christ.Your ministry has to help bring down the blinders that keep men and women from seeing the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot give up because God has equipped you to complete your assignment. God does not call a person without also equipping the person He calls. In fact, in verse 7, Paul indicates that you, the believer, has a hidden treasure. The hidden treasure is the revelation of the gospel and who Jesus is.
This is your equipment! The treasure is Jesus has all power to defeat every foe. The treasure is the gospel is able to bring about salvation to anyone willing to receive it. The treasure is the holy ghost is available to lead and guide the believer. The treasure is the word of God is good for teaching, reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
You cannot give up because God will intervene on your behalf. I know it can get difficult in the midst of the fight to live saved, to deal with opposition, to hold up the banner of holiness, but do not be discouraged, God will take care of you. In fact, the Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8, you can be troubled in every way, but not crushed; persecuted, but not driven to despair; struck down, but not destroyed. God has the ability to intervene in the most extreme cases for your benefit.
Finally, you cannot give up because God is going to get the glory out of your perseverance in the midst of opposition to promulgate the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your perseverance is for the sake of the people whose lives are going to be changed and transformed. In turn, God gets glorified and honored when you don't give up.
Child of God! This is not the time to give up. This is the time to trust God and do ministry because the world is ready for a people who are prepared to present Jesus in an effective way. "You simply cannot give up!"
