"We Do Not Give Up" !

"Therefore, we do not give up." 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16.

CHRISTIANS are in a race  for life.  Whether we have just started running or we have been in the race for years, we need to keep running until we cross the finish line.  The counsel that the apostle Paul gave to Christians in  Philippi can spur us on to complete the race.  Some members of that first=-century congregation had been serving Jehovah for years when they received Paul's letter.  They were running well, but Paul reminded them of the need to keep running with endurance. He wanted them to keep following his example of "pressing on toward the goal." - PHILIPPIANS 3:14.

Paul's advice to the Philippians was timely.  The congregation faced hostility from the start. It all began when, in response to the divine invitation  to "step over into Macedonia,"  Paul and Silas arrived in Philippi about 50 C.E. (Acts 16:9)   There they found a woman named Lydia, who "was listening, and Jehovah opened her heart wide" to the food news.  (Acts 16:14)  She soon got baptized along with the household. However, the Devil would not idle.  Men of the city dragged Paul and Silas before the civil magistrates and falsely accused them  of causing a disturbance.  As a result, Paul and Silas were beaten, imprisoned, and later urged to leave the city.  (Acts 16:16-40)  Did they give up? Never!  And what about the brothers and sisters in the newly formed congregation?  Commendably, they too endured!  No doubt they were greatly encourages by the good example that Paul and Silas set for them/.

Paul was determined not to give up.  ( 2 Corinthians 4:16) He knew, however, that in order to run the race to the finish, he would have to stay focused on the goal. What can we learn from Paul's example? What modern-day examples of faith show us that we can overcome obstacles to endurance? And how can our hope for the future strengthen our resolve not to give up?  

Next time"  "We Do Not Give Up"! - HOW PAUL'S EXAMPLE CAN BENEFIT US

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