Well, I guess today's title got your attention pretty quick. I've been writing Flat Tire Ministries blogs since 2016 and I can't recall a single message that the focus was inspiring folks to quit! I have been a promoter of the mindset of never quitting, never giving up, and always doing your best since I started coaching back in 1986, so what is going on now? Rest assured, I haven't given up and I haven't changed my message, but today I do want to encourage everyone to "quit". The question is what do I want to inspire you to quit today?
If I have inspired anyone to never give up in spite of circumstances, challenges, opposition, or supposedly insurmountable hardship, it is my hope that today's message will inspire someone to quit. Quit smoking, quit eating unhealthy foods or drinks, quit watching so much TV or digital media, quit using illegal drugs, and quit sitting around doing nothing productive. In addition, quit stealing, quit lying, quit gossiping, quit neglecting your loved ones, quit putting yourself first in every decision you make, and quit spending your precious time on things that will have no positive impact on your life or on the life of others that you love, serve, or otherwise share life. In other words, quit disobeying the directive that Jesus shared during His time here on Earth.
An adulterous woman was about to be stoned to death by an angry mob when one of the crowd yelled out to Jesus for his take on what they should do to the woman. Long story short, Jesus said let the man or woman who hasn't sinned throw the first rock. (See John 8:3-11). Mic drop. The crowd shamefully dispersed, realizing that they too were just as guilty of sinning and thus could be the next contestant on the "Who Gets Stoned to Death Today Show". The woman, probably standing there awaiting a chiding from Jesus, looked to Him for His condemnation. What did Jesus say? "Quit sinning!" (John 8:11). In chapter 5 of the same Gospel of John, Jesus heals a man who had been crippled most of his life. What did Jesus tell this man to do? The only directive Jesus gave this man was to "Quit doing the things that are counter to living a Christian life" (John 5:14). Although Jesus taught His disciples and all those he came in contact with to never give up and to never quit doing the work they had been called to do, Jesus did share a clear message, be a quitter, quit sinning!
Jesus left a lasting impression on his early followers, Paul in particular continued encouraging men and women to be quitters. In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul exhorts the people of Galatia telling them if they don't quit their evil ways they won't inherit the Kingdom of God. The list is pretty inclusive: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." In other words, Be a quitter, quit sinning. And if you are struggling with the question, "If I quit doing all of the things listed above, then what will I do with all my time?" Never fear, Paul is near, in the same chapter he goes on to say instead of spending all of your time on these detrimental activities, invest your time, energy, and resources into activities that produce the following: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" Galatians 5:22-23. Paul goes on to remind us that there is no law or limit to the amount of time, energy, and resources we invest in these attributes.
Today I am going to close this message with three words that I am pretty sure I have never said in my life. While I want to encourage you to do more, give more, share more, and invest more into people, projects, and programs that will have a positive impact on this world we are living in, I also want to encourage you to stop doing the things in your life that will only have a negative impact on you and your circle of influence. Stop hurting others, stop taking and never giving, and stop waiting on someone else to begin a good work before you get involved. Today my advice to you, me, and the world is "Be a Quitter", quit squandering your life away and start living the life that God purposed you to live!
Coach Carter
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