As Long as or...until?

What the Bible says about God as a Rewarder- pt 5

I am convinced there are two kinds of Christians- as long as Christians and until Christians. The as long as Christian starts out great, full of enthusiasm, and may even look as though they would charge hell with a water pistol. But then problems come. Then even bigger problems come. "Hey I did not know that serving God was going to hurt!!" "I don't mind serving God as long as things go my way, but this is not what I expected!" or "I don't mind being a Christian as long as I understand what God is up to!" or "Sure I love the Lord as long as He leaves my money alone… or my friendships alone.. or my lifestyle alone." Aaahhh yes, there is an entire graveyard filled with as long as Christians.

The apostle Paul had an as long as assistant once. His name was Demas. For awhile Paul's life and ministry was filled with excitement and drama: massive evangelism, demons coming out of witches, supernatural healings. I mean it was awesome! But then there came the stays in prison, the gossip, the persecution. Soon it began to be painful to serve Paul. Hardships were there. Instead of people in a city talking about the miracles that happened; now they spoke of this weird guy named Paul who was in a cult. To be with the apostle meant-rejection. From prison Paul writes:

"for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia." (2 Timothy 4:10 NIV)

There is another breed of Christians...the until Christian. Things don't always go well with him. Sometimes, honestly, he does not know why so many hard things are going on in his life. Many things he has sought God for have not come to pass. Like Paul many who were once his friends have distanced themselves from him. He is no longer surprised at the fiery trials that come on him. He now considers himself a disciple of Jesus and will serve Him until the end. Here is a declaration I have been encouraged with many many times. I trust it will bless you too. I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitated in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me--my banner will be clear.

Where will you be at the end of 2008? Will you be serving our God, full of faith and joy? Or will the difficulties along the road make you give up. The decision time is now. as long as or until ?