Those who have ever watched any type of sporting event know that there are timeouts, inning changes, breaks between
events, injury timeouts, etc.  In football, when a tough decision needs made, a team might call a timeout to confer with the
coaches.  In basketball, a team might call a timeout to set a play at a crucial moment in the game.  In baseball, a team may
choose to substitute batters or pitchers when the game is on the line.  In Christianity, there are no timeouts.  You do not get a
break at the end of the quarter.  You cannot pause for a commercial break and discuss how things are going bad.  When you
are injured, you’re still “in the game” and the adversary will attack your injury.  At the end of the race, we cannot pull up and
just coast through life.

     When we look to the Scriptures, we see the aforementioned points are ever so true.  The world will forsake us (John 15:
18-20).  Our families may turn against us (Luke 12:52-53).  Even some of our brethren may leave us (II Timothy 4:10).  We
cannot quit no matter how tough things get.  Jesus told His disciples: “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake:
but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).  

     In the modern world of sports, the losing player or team may sound off a comforting thought of “there’s always next year.”  
For the Christian, there is never a tomorrow, let alone a next year (Proverbs 27:1, Matthew 6:34, and James 4:13-14).  Death
is promised to us (Hebrews 9:27), if the Lord does not return first which could happen at any unknown moment (Matthew 24:
35-36; 44 and II Peter 3:1-12).  In this race we cannot pull up with a pulled spiritual muscle.  We are expected to finish
running (I Corinthians 9:24-27 and Hebrews 12:1-2).  We cannot fall back on the idea that it’s okay to just take it easy and
rest for a while.  We cannot become weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9 and II Thessalonians 3:13).  The only insurance policy
that a Christian has is simply this: if we remain faithful to the end we will be rewarded for our obedience and for the race we’ve
run (Colossians 3:24, II Timothy 2:5; 4:6-8, Hebrews 11:6, and II John v. 8).


   Have you ever walked with someone who could not hold the pace?  Have you ever had a problem starting something and
actually finishing it?  These are both problems that Christians face in the walk before us.  Some just cannot keep up and end up
sitting down, or falling.  Others, they’ve never really been rooted and grounded in the faith (Luke 8:5-15) or never realized how
hard of a journey they had begun (Luke 9:57-62; 14:25-33), so they fail.  One thing that is for sure, God will not accept
quitters.  Paul wrote something we ought to consider: “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm
constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and
profitable unto men” (Titus 3:8).  We have to keep up our good works.  We cannot have a day off or a weekend retreat
from our duties.  Imagine a front line soldier putting down his rifle in the midst of an enemy offensive.  What would happen?  
Well, while the Bible relates our run to races, God tells us we’re in a battle too!


     Sports fans, our analogy is over.  Soldiers of Christ, listen up!  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand...  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not
war after the flesh:(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal
life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses…  Thou therefore
endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this
life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier…  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that
the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (Ephesians 6:10-13, II Corinthians 10:3-5,
I Timothy 6:12, II Timothy 2:3-4 and I Peter 5:8-9).  

     Too many who call themselves Christians have forgotten the passages we just read through.  They have forgotten they’re
soldiers.  They’ve traded the sword of the Spirit in for a soft pew and a man in a suit, calling himself a preacher, telling you that
the fight is on him instead of you.  The day the soldier of Christ puts down his or her armor and / or weaponry is the day the
adversary wins without the white flag even being raised.  You see, Satan does not care if you sit on one side or the other.  He
realizes that if you are not with Christ, you’re against Him (Matthew 12:30).  So, if you’ve given your fight to someone else,
why not get off your lazy rear end and take back that which you’ve traded in?  The timeout is over and you are extremely lucky
the general has not returned before now (Matthew 24:44-46).


     A blessing we all do have is each other.  Whether local or abroad, there are Christians in the same race and battle.  When
we feel it’s time to substitute ourselves out for a break, call on one of those brethren.  No, don’t call them to take your place.  
They cannot!  Call them to help you stand up and fight side by side.  You see, this is a team race and fight (I Corinthians 12:14-
27), though we’re individually accountable (II Corinthians 5:10).  So, call on your fellow soldiers for help in times of need
(Philippians 2:25-30).  Consider, as a close to this article, these final words from the mind of God (I Corinthians 2:9-13)
through the pen of Paul: “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now
hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in
his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel,
which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a
minister” (Colossians 1:21-23).
Volume VIII    ~    Issue VI   ~   November 4th, 2007
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).  There is
more to cover than is here.  Contact me today for a study: brianyeager@wordsoftruth.net
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
There Are No Timeouts, Breaks, or Substitutions
By: Brian A. Yeager
Conclusion
Let Us Maintain Good Works
Soldiers!  Keep Yourself Armed, Ready, and In the Fight