Why do "Christians" fall away?

1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness , although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
2 Timothy 3:1-5


I have seen it many times -- people who claim to be Christians, yet over time, fall away from the Faith, to serve their sinful desires, rather than Christ. We see in the above Scripture that it was prophesied that this would happen, and as I was pondering the possible reasons for this phenomenon, the simple answer suddenly became clear to me.

Folks all too often fall for the false message that teaches us that God's aim in our lives is to keep us happy and successful. But Jesus' message to us is very different. It is one of holiness above happiness!

The answer is simple. People delude themselves into believing the unbiblical teaching just mentioned, then they forget or fail to recognize the Biblical truth of God's coming wrath against sin.

One is either born-again, or not. One is either a new creation in Christ, or not. God will not be mocked; believing in Him in the modern sense of the word, is not enough, as the demons do that. When the New Testament was written, to "believe in", meant to trust, follow, and obey with the whole heart!



9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate , nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11



As times become more and more difficult, Professing Christians will have to choose between Christ and the world, and between the hard narrow road that leads to life, and the easy broad road that leads to destruction. Professing Christians will have to choose whether they want to be among the Wheat, or among the Tares. God will reserve for Himself a Faithful Remnant, as He always has. May we be among them!

Simple Wisdom

If we see ourselves as worthy before God, our unworthiness will be revealed. If we recognize our unworthiness before God, we then become worthy.

The Gospel "According to You"

There's a sweet old story translated for man
But writ in the long, long ago --
The Gospel according to Mark, Luke, and John
Of Christ and His mission below.

Men read and admire the Gospel of Christ,
With its love so unfailing and true;
But what do they say, and what do they think
Of the Gospel "according to you"?

Tis a wonderful story, that Gospel of love,
As it shines in the Christ life divine,
And oh, that its truth might be told yet again
In the story of your life and mine.

Unselfishness mirrors in every scene,
Love blossoms on every sod,
And back from its vision the heart comes to tell
The wonderful goodness of God.

You are writing each day a letter to men,
Take care that the writing is true,
Tis the only Gospel that some men will read --
That Gospel "according to you."

Author Unknown



This poem fits right in with the theme discussed in the previous post. You never know who is watching the example you're setting as you live life. Do they see someone who is sold out for Jesus, and who is truly different in the way they love God and people -- a born-again, new creation? Or do they just see the same old, same old human nature of those who walk the broad path to destruction? If we are truly citizens of Heaven, let's act like it, and make unbelievers jealous of the Treasure we have in these "earthen vessels"! Perhaps they too will turn to the Lord Jesus, and join us in the camp of those who are the children of God!

 

You Just Never Know!

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Colossians 4:6

You that preach Christ in the streets, go on preaching Him. I saw a man preaching the other day with no creature but one dog to listen to him, and I really thought that he might as well have gone home. But I met with a story yesterday, which I know to be true, and it showed me that I was making a mistake. There was a woman who for years had been in such dreadful dispair that she would not even hear the gospel. She came to be very ill, and she said to one that called upon her, "You sent a man to preach under my window three months ago, and I got a blessing." "No," the friend said, "I never sent anybody to preach under your window." "Oh," she said, "I think you did, for he came and preached, and my maid said that there was nobody listening to him. I did not want to hear him; and as he made so much noise, my maid shut the window, and I laid down in bed; but the man shouted so that I was obliged to hear him; and I thank God I did, I heard the gospel, and I found Christ. Did you not send him?" "No," said the good man, "I did not." "Well," she said, "then God did. There was nobody in street listening to him; but I heard the gospel, and I got out of my despair, and I found the savior, and I am prepared to die." Fire away, brethren! You do not know where your shot will strike, but "there's a billet for every bullet." -- Charles H. Spurgeon 1834-1892
 
Although open-air preaching may or may not be considered the best form of communicating God's truths with others in today's culture, I would like to point out that the principle described in this story will always be valid! You just never know who you might be influencing with your words and actions. You never know what kind of seeds you might be planting as you seek to both say and do things that honor God, while interacting with people day-to-day. So, whether you are admonishing or encouraging a fellow believer, or sharing your Faith with an unbeliever, keep shining for Jesus with the life He has given you! And although you may not always see it, God will use a willing and sincere believer's heart for His eternal purpose and glory, as well as the believer's eternal reward!
 
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

Am I a Soldier of the Cross?

Am I a soldier of the cross? Foll'wer of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause or blush to speak His Name?
Must I be carried to the skies on flow'ry beds of ease,
While other fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign -- increase my courage, Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy word!

By Isaac Watts 1674-1748

Wise Words From An Unbeliever

"I know men and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him." -- Napoleon Bonaparte

The Grand Paradox

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained ;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Psalms 8:3-4


I'm sure you can relate to this Scripture like I can. Many times, I have looked up at the stars, considered the vastness of the earth, or gazed up at the mountains, and a powerful sense of smallness and insignificance sweeps over me. At times I have dwelt on it to the point of fear! Our God, who created the Sun, Moon, and stars, is so amazing and great beyond comprehension, that I think, "Who am I to even be talking to the LORD?"
 
Then I remember this Scripture:


For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
"I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15

So the Most High God, who created the vastness of the universe, and dwells in the height of Heaven, also dwells intimately and lovingly with the "poor in spirit"! The great Keeper of the stars, is also the "Shepherd and Bishop of [our] souls"! It's the grand paradox!
 
And, finally, praise be to God who proved it all and more by sending His only begotten Son to endure our punishment for us (while we were still hostile toward Him), so we could dwell with Him forever!


But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 5:8-10

Personal Call

I have to keep my phone on silent while I am at work. I have found that after a long shift, I immediately check my phone for any missed calls, texts, or emails. I am delighted when a personal call, text, or email from family or friends appears in my notifications bar. I am disappointed, however, when I only find impersonal or spam items.

Yesterday, I checked my phone, and the result was disappointment. Then it dawned on me... How does the LORD feel when He doesn't recieve any personal calls from us? How much does He really mean to me, that I could go a whole day without praying and calling out to Him, seeking closeness with my Creator?


1 O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly ;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
7 For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.
Psalms 63:1-8


The LORD desires deep fellowship with us, His children! The fact the the Creator of all the universe wants to spend time with us is mindblowing in and of itself. What more do I need to convince myself of the beauty, value, and importance of it?



4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:4-8

Just Believe?

They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
Acts 16:31

There is a popular notion in among many evangelicals today. It is the concept of, "All you have to do is believe in Jesus, then you go to heaven." Is this kind of thinking accurate? Well, yes and no. You see, it all depends on what you mean by "believe". Obviously, the important thing is what does the Word mean by believe?


Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said,
"TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME." For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.

Heb 3:12-19


So we see that to believe isn't merely intellectual recognition of the facts (like Satan and the demons "believe" who Jesus is) but it is a belief in Him that leads us to love Him and obey His commandments! It's just like in the parable Jesus gave us regarding the two builders. If I truly believe that building my house on the sand will bring it to ruin, whereas building it on the rock will secure it, I am going to act on that belief, and build it on the rock.


"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? "Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. "But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."
Luke 6:46-49


I will build on the Rock of Jesus, by obeying His commandments through the strength He supplies!


In the following Scripture we see the contrast between the true believer and the unbeliever:


"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
John 3:36


So may we be among the blessed few who travel the Narrow Way that leads to life, and believe for real!

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles ?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'

Matt 7:21-23


"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
John 14:15


See also my article: "True Grace" for more information on this topic at lifeandtreasure.com.

Need I Say More?

Peace

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful."
John 14:27

It's that time I fret -- the sun's ready to set,
And the darkness will cover the land.
It's been a good day, but I hope and I pray
You'll sustain me again with Your strong hand.

In Your perfect time I know I'll be just fine.
You've never left me before.
The shadow of death at its best cannot wrest
My soul from within Your heart's core.

I know that I'm with You -- You've shown me this through
Your mercy again and again.
But right at this time I'm trapped by my mind.
Help me know You're my Best Friend.

You're right by my side. It just doesn't jive
That I feel so alone, so afraid.
Though I can't see, You're right here with me.
My soul you've redeemed from the grave.

In You may I rest as I face this test.
Please hold me close in my pain.
At the end of my rope, You're my only hope --
Help me trust what I know in Your Name.

I crave to be healed, to be safe and to feel
That my life brings a smile to Your face.
Oh to know where You are, You just seem so far,
And my heart longs again for Your embrace.

I feel lost from the fold, and it gets real old
I just want these fears to be gone.
But the dark and the cold, truth be told,
Is most intense in the hour before dawn.

I still seek You and pray as my hope fades away,
And my heart feels as if it will cease.
Then You open my eyes to Your new sunrise --
You fill me with Your perfect peace.

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33

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Copyright © 2009 Brother Jeremy