• Throwing In The Towel

  Contributed by Aubrey Vaughan on Dec 30, 2008 (message contributor)

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  Scripture:  None

  Tags:  Endurance

  Denomination: Baptist

THROWING IN THE TOWEL

I don't know whether you are a lover of boxing as a sport or not, but when a boxer has had enough, the trainer can 'throw in the towel." This signifies we just can't go on any further... We often use the turn of phrase to say were giving up.

If were honest, there may be times in our Christian lives that we feel like giving up in a particular situation. But our purpose is to stand firm, to continue fighting the good fight. Giving up is not really an option.

If we were to picture the Christian life as a boxing match, every Christian would have to be like the southpaw Joe Calzage , nicknamed "The Pride of Wales" or "The Italian Dragon," who has had 46 fights and won 46 fights. Yes, he has had many a bruising round with opposition; he has been knocked down on the canvas, but he got back up, he has stood firm, he has given himself fully to the task and has come out victorious.

Here, the apostle Paul is urging us to just that. "Brothers and sisters..." He is not only addressing those first century Christians in Corinth but us today in the 21st century.

1 Cor. 15:58: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.