Why People Are Falling Away

 

Our Lord Jesus Christ foretold that many would fall away from the faith in the last days, “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.” (Matthew 24:10). He ominously alluded to there may be few left who love Him when He returns, “I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8). The Apostle Paul via The Holy Spirit confirms this saying that the falling away will be one of two definitive signs we are at the end and the Return of Christ, “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the apostasy (falling away from the faith) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,” (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

We certainly are seeing many fall away and turning to other beliefs or pantheism: a mix of beliefs, rather than “..pure and undivided devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3). There really is list of reasons why this is happening in the West. The first is Yoga. Yoga is the Great Commission of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. While church services are primarily spectatorial, Yoga is participatory. People at church sit in chairs listening to one man sermonized, when Scripture says we are all suppose to participate, “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. [28] But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:26-33).  

The way we fight back against Yoga is to actual do what Scripture says! Let every member bring a hymn, prophecy, word, Psalm and etc. Participatory spirituality is what its suppose to be like at church! But alas The West has followed a model that makes most of congregants spdctafors. 

The second reason many are falling away is they were fed a lie, a lie called The Prosperity Gospel and Doctrine, that being a follower of Jesus means mansions, new cars, and a good trouble free life. Scripture and our Lord Jesus tells us, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation (troubles). But take heart; I have overcome the world,” (John 16:33), “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first,” (John 15:18), “strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. "We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said,” (Acts 14:22), “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,” (2 Timothy 3:12), and the plethora of New Testament passages promise adversity is the normal experiance of a Christian, hence carrying one’s own cross, “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). 

The fourth reason for falling away is disillusionment. The scandals of the Church of Rome and The Southern Baptists has rocked people’s confidence in churches and the moral authority of churchmen. 

The sad fact is the church is responsible for some of the reasons people are falling away. If we church services were run like 1 Corinthians 14, Yoga would have competitor. Restoring people’s faith in church leaders will take time. The moral failings of church leaders has created distrust, which honestly isn’t unwarranted.   

The best thing we can do as the world wide Church of Christ Jesus is do 1 Corinthians 14, and hold our leaders accountable. That and pray that people “endure to the end.” (Matthew 24:13).

We must do all we can to help those struggling to stand firm as the apostle Jude says, “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others,but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” (Jude 1:20-23). Amen.