Most have heard the story of the Spanish Conquistador, Hernán Cortés, who landed in Mexico in 1519 and was determined to take the land. To motivate his army to march forward and fulfill their task, the story goes that Cortés ordered the ships to be burned. The means by which they arrived was eliminated as a means by which they could leave. Retreat was not an option! They would be victorious in battle or they would die, but they would not (and could not) turn back!
What a lesson for Christians today! Brothers and sisters in Christ, when we became Christians, we crucified and buried that old man (Rom. 6:1-12). That former life before Christ “died with Christ.” Retreat to that life is not an option! God says, “If anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him” (Heb. 10:38). Therefore, we must be determined to say, “We are not of those who draw back to perdition” (10:39). We must not turn back! Let us march forward and fulfill the task that God has given to us…and never retreat!