Keep On Keeping On

A man told me the story I want to share with you today. All his life, even when he was in the Primary School he has had one ambition. It is to be a Minister of the Gospel. So on September 21, 1980, he was ordained a Minister. On his ordination day his father, who also is a Minister of the Gospel gave him a present. It was a gold medal with inscription on both sides. On the one side is written: 

“To my son Robert on your Ordination to the Gospel Ministry. From Your father Reverend Robert”

On the other side are inscribed three Bible Verses

• Luke 9:62

• Philippians 1:6

• Revelation 2:10

Let us consider these three verses this afternoon.

The First Bible Verse: Luke 9:62

“But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  

This was what Jesus told the three men who volunteered to follow Him.

The first volunteer for discipleship was too quick with his promise to follow Christ. He had not considered the cost and sacrifices involved. Jesus told him to “sit down and count the cost”.

The second volunteer had good intentions but would want them to come up later, at least after he had buried his father. No active duty yet, Lord Jesus count on me, but do not start counting yet. Lukewarm enthusiasm!

The third volunteer announced he would be ready to follow Jesus just as soon as he went home and said good bye to the family. After all, I cannot drop everything and leave, Can I? Arrangements have to be made, friends have to be told. Jesus is not interested in carnal discipleship. Put Your Hand on the plough and do not look back! Remember Lot’s wife! Once we commit ourselves to following God, there can be no detour, no backsliding or about turn. Keep on keeping on!

The Second Bible Verse: Philippians 1:6

“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”

God is telling us here, that as we keep on keeping on, He will shore up our efforts  and give us every opportunity to succeed. No matter what our setbacks might be, no matter what adversity we face, God will not let us see the stake out the end of the field without equipping us with the strength to take up the plough and move directly towards it. God will complete what He has started. If God gives us an assignment; He equips us to carry out the assignment.

Now to the Third and Final Bible Verse: Revelation 2:10

”Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Someone has said “Success is never certain because success is not a place that we reach; it is a journey and a progressive realization of worthwhile goals. There will always be other setbacks, challenges, possibilities and opportunities.”

The path of life we slowly scale, the peaks of our personal mountain, and when we reach the pinnacle of success, we can then peck at the next great mountain. One goal down, new visions ahead! It is exciting! Yes, but it is also frightening. However, God has told us not to fear the future, but to put our hands on the plough and move towards the goal. There is always a comeback following each setback. We just have to keep on keeping on.

How many of us would be able to keep on keeping on? There are the winds of doctrine to overcome; there are the attractions of the society to shun and contend with; there are the urges of the moment to keep on changing; there are thousand and one things contending for our attention and action. Will you turn away from the plough or would you keep on following your dream till you reach the goal? I want to leave with us all today, these three same verses: Luke 9:62; Philippians 1:6 and Revelation 2:10. They are good memory and meditation verses. Keep on Keeping on. Never give up!'

God bless you all.