Never Give Up!

Never Give Up?

1 Corinthians 7:16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

On a bookshelf in my library, I have a football signed by Jim Kelly, Hall of Fame Buffalo Bills quarterback. I know a good bit about Jim Kelly’s football career, but never knew much about his personal life. Today I read that at age 63, Jim Kelly finally came to saving faith in Jesus and was baptized.

Jim said, “Becoming a Christian is the best decision I’ve made in my life. I wish I would’ve come to Him sooner, but His timing is perfect.”

For many years Jim was lost and angry with God because he lost a son named Hunter at the age of 8 due to a rare genetic condition. For the next 30 years he struggled, but now he is a saved believer in Jesus. Jim thanked his wife and his daughters for encouraging him in his faith. He also thanked his men’s fellowship group and his son Hunter. He said without Hunter he would not have come to faith in Jesus. Now he knows he will see his son again.

As wonderful as Jim’s story is, there is a great lesson in it for all of us. NEVER GIVE UP! That person you have watched struggling in unbelief for years may still come to saving faith in Jesus. Jim was surrounded by people who kept encouraging him to come to faith in Christ. Since that is true of Jim’s life, how do you know your encouragement won’t lead someone you love to saving faith in Jesus? If there are people in your life who have struggled with unbelief for a long time, never give up on them. They might be the next Jim Kelly and come to faith in Jesus because of you.

I can tell you, that football on my bookshelf isn’t just a signed football anymore. It is signed by a brother in Christ, and that makes it extra special.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie