Going Back Should Not Be An Option 

Luke 9:62 (NIV) – Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

When going back becomes an option, going forward becomes an option too. If going forward is an option then it means it’s not necessary and not all efforts will be employed. The secret of expending best efforts for a forward move is to remove going back from the options available. Going back should not be an option!

A story is told of a General who took few tired soldiers to capture an island that was fiercely guarded by a huge army of local militia. The General knew that his team could take this island. The General also knew that the team was discouraged due to delayed payment and due to fatigue from long campaigns. The General knew that his soldiers were considering going home and consequently they were fighting reluctantly and haphazardly. When they landed on the shores of this island, the General secretly burnt their boats. Everything changed when the army saw their boats burning. They knew that going back was not an option. They fought ferociously and took the island. Going back should not be an option!

Luke 9:59-62 (NIV) – 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Prior to today’s verse, we are told that several people wanted to follow Jesus but they had excuses that would allow them to go back. One wanted to go back and say goodbye. Another one wanted to go back and attend a burial. Jesus told them that when it comes to this ministry, going back is not an option. The thought of going back disqualifies you from this work. Going back should not be an option!

You can’t give it your best if quitting is an active thought and active option. We can only do our best when we know that we must succeed and nothing else. You can’t give only go forward meaningfully when going back is not an option.

When you go to school, the only option is to complete your studies successfully. Going back, dropping out and going for something else before you complete your studies successfully should not be an option. Going back is not an option.

When you start a business, the only option should be to succeed and make profit. Try everything. Learn from every failure and make adjustments. No thoughts of closing and quitting. Going back should not be an option!

When you marry or get married, you shouldn’t entertain thoughts of quitting, divorce and separation. These words shouldn’t come out of your mouth nor linger in your thoughts. Focus on learning and making it work. You will succeed. In the unfortunate event of failure, you will be at peace knowing that you did your best. Going back should not be an option!

Whatever you intend to do today, plan well, think about it, ask questions, know all the facts, then when you begin, don’t look back. Going back should not be an option. That is why we do a feasibility study before business starts. That is why we date and court before marriage. That is why we get convinced about importance of studies before going to school. Once these preliminaries are done, begin what you must do without looking back. Going back should not be an option!

Prepare thoroughly. Convince yourself. Get all the facts. Know the person well. Count the cost of being part of this project. After that, start off without looking back. Going back should not be an option!

Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 (NIV) – 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?

When you make a vow to God, going back is not an option. God hates people who go back on their vows. Do not excuse yourself that it was a mistake. Once you make a vow to God, you only have the option of fulfilling it. Going back is not an option!

The vows we make to God include baptismal vows. Marriage vows are also made in the presence of God. Vows to serve God include baptismal ordained ministries. Vows to contribute money, time and other resources to God’s work. Vows to faithfully serve in a public office and we make God a witness. Once you make a vow in God’s name, going back should not be an option.

Anyone who goes back from their vow – God becomes their enemy and fights them. God destroys all the work that their hands make. It is dangerous to go back on your vows. Going back should not be an option!

Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV) – 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Backsliders are more difficult to bring back to the faith than heathens who do not know God. Those who go back on their Christian commitments are at a grave danger. Those who backslide from church are at a greater risk. Those who go back are the hardest to help. Therefore when it comes to faith matters, going back to sinful practices should not be an option!

Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV) – This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

The only going back that is sensible and is allowed is repentance from sin. Going back to restore our relationship with God and with others. Going back from foolishness to wise living. Going back from drug abuse to clean living. Any other going back that isn’t restorative is prohibited. Going back should not be an option!

To succeed in anything, going back should not be an option. To be a good Christian, going back should not be an option. To be a good minister of the gospel, serving the church, going back shouldn’t be an option. May God help us to calculate well, so that whatever we begin, including our commitment to Him, going back should not be an option. In Jesus name, Amen!

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