Chris' Corner - Sunday, September 13, 2020
What happens in the minds of some Christians who have made the decision to leave God—just turn and walk away from the only One who can save them from eternal condemnation?
Many leave God because the appeal of the world becomes greater (at least in their minds), than the goodness and rewards of eternity in a heavenly home. “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:19-20.
Sin separates the transgressor from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). However, God has provided forgiveness when the sinner repents and submits to the washing of the water and the saving blood of Christ (1 John 5:6; Acts 22:16). There is also forgiveness for a Christian who turns away from righteousness, but then repents and returns to God (Acts 8:22). However, there is a real possibility of a sinful person getting comfortable and desensitized as they sit in their sin, and find themselves unable to make their way back (Hebrews 6:6).
Others will leave God when the trials of life become too great and overwhelm them. Until this life is over, and we pass into eternity’s rewards, there will be troubles. Some will be severe. As long as we live in this world we’ll have heartache, grief, tragedies, suffering, and turmoil. God cannot be blamed when sin is the reason for the nature of things in this cursed world. People lose hope and fall into despair. Eventually they drift away from the only hope and help that can be found during times of need.
The key to surviving the laws of nature and life here on earth is by staying focused until the end comes (Revelation 2:10). Faith comes through the knowledge of God’s word. Only a strong faith will be able to overcome and be rewarded with a home in heaven where troubles and tears will not exist.
Some people leave God because of the way they have been treated by other people. We all experience disappointments and hurtful actions from others. The most hurtful are those who are the closest to us. We are close with our brethren in the church. “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22).
In Paul’s discussion of matters of conscience and weaker brethren, he said, “And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble”.(1 Corinthians 8:11-13). Whatever we do, interacting with our brethren, we must keep in mind their feelings and spiritual level of understanding. We should do anything we can to keep from offending and hurting others.
Even so, people will be hurt, and some will leave the church and God. As people, we must remember people will be people. Even Christians are people, and people will make mistakes. We are human and will have bad days, From time to time, we all succumb to the weaknesses of body, mind, and spirit. We are bound to offend and hurt someone and be offended and hurt by someone close to us. Let’s forgive!
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).