Why Some People Quit

Ever since the church began, some who have obeyed the Gospel, thus being added by the Lord to the church, have failed to remain faithful. They, like the Ephesians, “have left their first love” (Revelation 2:4). Likely, there are some motivations for departures with which I am not familiar, but some are very apparent. Some apostatize because they cease to value Truth and become ensnared in false doctrines and practices (II Thessalonians 2:10–12; I Timothy 1:19–20; 4:1; II Timothy 4:3–4; et al.). Others hear the siren-call of fleshly lusts and, unlike Moses, choose to enjoy the “pleasures of sin for a season,” forgetting the inevitable day of recompense (Hebrews 11:25–26; I Corinthians 5:1–5; II Corinthians 12:21; II Timothy 3:1–6; Jude 4; et al.).

Others who drop out do not do so because of such drastic factors. They depart for what one might refer to as more “personal” or “subjective” reasons, several of which I have heard over the years. In hopes that discussion of some of these might prevent someone from backsliding and losing his soul, consider the following:

  1.  Guilt: When one knows he is not living as Christ teaches us to live during the week, he should feel guilty and ashamed when he comes into his Bible class or into the worship assembly. His guilt and shame leave him with two choices: He can confess and repent of his sin, or he can continue in it. One who continues in sin will not long faithfully assemble where Biblical preaching and teaching remind him of his guilt. If he is unwilling to abandon his sin, he will abandon the church by making no pretense at being religious or he will “shop at being religious or he will “shop around” for a “feel-good church” with a “feel-good at being religious or he will “shop gospel” (joining a “guilt-free church” that allows people to maintain membership and hold on to their sins is merely another way of abandoning the Truth—and the church). Unwillingness to give up sin (and the resulting guilt) has caused many to “quit the church.”
  2. Personal dislike for someone in the congregation: Often it is the preacher, an elder, or a teacher—usually someone in a leadership role—who stirs such disfavor. We all have enough faults to be unlikable to someone else at times (e.g., I do not like the behavior of those who quit because they do not “like” someone). Guess what? You do not have to like every member of the church to be a faithful Christian (nor does everyone in the congregation have to like you). God must often dislike the behavior of even the best of us, but He still loves us and desires our salvation. Likewise, it is not necessarily wrong for us to dislike and irritate one another at times in matters of opinion and personal choice, as long as we still love one another enough to seek the good of each other. “Quitting the church,” thereby losing one’s soul, is a high price to pay because “I do not like someone.”
  3.  The claim of “too many hypocrites” in the church: Perhaps all Christians (including preachers and elders) have at least been inconsistent, if not hypocritical at times. Even the best find it impossible to live flawlessly the flawless message we preach. I dare say that the one who charges, “There are too many hypocrites,” is himself hypocritical once in a while. There is no defense for hypocrisy, but which is worse—to continue to faithfully assemble and work with other imperfect saints, knowing that one’s own life is not perfect, or to drop out and lose one’s soul? Besides, the presence of one or one hundred hypocrites has nothing to do with one’s relationship with God unless he allows it to do so. Hell will be the eternal abode of impenitent hypocrites (Matthew 24:51). The one who so despises them here that he departs from the Lord rather than associate with them will condemn himself to inescapable association with them in eternity.

Many other “reasons” for quitting are observable, but they all stem from uncontrolled selfishness (Romans 15:1–3; II Corinthians 5:15; Philippians 2:4, 21; II Timothy 3:2). The quitter will return only when he gets selfishness under control.

Dub McClish

DO WE REALLY CARE FOR OR LOVE THE LOST?

Often times we sing the song, “Does Jesus Care”.  This is a very comforting song and is often sung at funerals.  There is a joy that fills the heart, especially when we sing the chorus, “O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; when the days are weary, The long night dreary, I know my Saviour cares.”  How do we know he cares?  Well, the Bible tells us he does and how much.  Jesus cares for you and me so much until he was willing to die for us that we might live.  He has proven his love for us.  Jesus left all the beauties and glories of heaven and came to this sin-cursed earth in order to pay the ransom price for the sins of man.  (Philippians 2:5-8).  In Luke 19:10 we read, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

 How much do we really care for the lost?  How much do we love them?  John said, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

  1. How much do you love your own soul?  Do you talk righteously but do not act so?  Do you really want to go to heaven?  Do you quickly find an excuse for not serving the Lord or do you faithfully serve him?  Do you attend all the services of the church possible and work for the cause of Christ?  If not, why not?  If your soul is saved, it will be because you love God, His Son, the church, the Bible and your soul more than anyone or anything in this life.  Jesus said, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple...so likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”  (Luke 14:26, 33)     I know some do not love their own soul for they will not attend worship or serve the Lord.  Some of you have been pleaded with time and time again, but continue to give some silly excuse for not faithfully serving God. 
  2. Do you love the souls of your children and grandchildren?  You do not unless you are a faithful, dedicated example of Christianity.  Oh, you say, I provide for them well.  I give them a good house, car, boat, etc.  I cook, iron, etc. for them.  Yes, but that wasn't the question.  The question was, “Do you love the souls of your children and grandchildren?”  Parents have an obligation to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and yet, many seem to think they are doing someone a favor when they bring their children to Bible classes and worship service once in a while.     Parents, how can you look your children in the face and say, “I love you.”, and then not be faithful in services and not work for the saving of lost souls.
  3. How much do you love the soul of your husband or wife?  Do you set the best example for him or her?  Does your mate know that God comes first even before him or her?  Do you act un-Christian?  Do you curse, swear, get mad, fuss, drink, etc.?  Do you ever invite Christian friends into your home that your mate may get to know them and to appreciate them?  It seems that some couldn't care less if their mate is lost.  How much do you care?
  4. How much do you love the lost in the community?  Do you say, “Yes, I want them to be saved and go to heaven,” but never do anything toward their salvation?  Do you believe the world is saying of the church today, “Those people really care about lost souls?”
  5. How much do you love your unfaithful brethren?  Paul said, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”  (Galatians 6:1).  How many of the unfaithful have you contacted lately concerning their soul?  Have you even considered their unfaithfulness?  James said, “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”  (James 5:19, 20)

Remember, we are to love in deed and in truth.  Brethren, how much do we really love the lost?

Author Unknown

A Good Rule

Everybody needs a rule to work by, and here is a good one: The whole church, and the furtherance of Truth, is more important than one man, or a few, and more important than one congregation or a few. The Word is to be preached (II Timothy 4:2), and ALL OF IT (Acts 20:27), and in a spirit of love of Truth (II Thessalonians 2:10) and hatred for all false ways (Psalm 119:104, 128). To “let error pass” is to declare that one cares nothing for Truth, cares nothing for the souls of men, and cares not if souls are lost. No man calling himself a Gospel preacher can afford to be in that position. And, he cannot allow himself to be compromised in spirit and heart that some man or some men stand between himself and the Truth! Our speaking and writing brethren, around the world, need to take this lesson most seriously!

Bill Jackson

How the Devil Works

Peter wrote, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). As long as we are in this earthly body we will have Satan as our adversary. His manner is subtle, “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (II Corinthians 11:3). Not only is he subtle, he is full of tricks: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). We also read in Ephesians 6:16 that he is constantly throwing fiery darts our way trying to get us to stumble. But how does the Devil work? What does he do? Note the following:

 The Devil tries to keep every soul out of the church. The Devil does not want anyone to be saved, and he knows that people are saved who have been added to the church through obedience. So what does he do? He does anything he can do to get people not to believe the truth of God’s Word. If it takes tempting people with a man-made religion, or another gospel he will do it because he knows that if a person hears the gospel preached they will be told what it takes to be saved. The Devil will try to show that being a part of the body of Christ is not essential to salvation. He will ridicule and misrepresent the church. Yes friends, he will do everything in his power to keep every responsible soul out of the church.

The Devil tries to get you back into the world. If he cannot keep you from obeying the gospel, then he will do everything he can to get you back into the world. He does this by making the world and the things of the world appealing. He does everything he can to weaken your faith. He causes you to become discouraged. He will get your companions to corrupt you. He will rise up false teachers from among the church to entice you. He will do whatever it takes to destroy your faith and get you back into the world.

 But if he cannot keep you out of the church, and if he cannot get you back into the world, the Devil then will try to make you useless to the church. He does this by encouraging you not to study the Word so that you will not grow in the knowledge of the Lord. He tries to confuse your priorities so that you will not put the kingdom of God and His righteousness first in our life. He uses any devious trick that he can to render you useless and worthless in service to the Lord. The Devil knows the working Christian is pleasing to the Lord and because of their effort, others will be converted to the Lord and the church will grow and he does not want this to happen.

Author Unknown

This. . .

                        This Book unfolds Jehovah’s mind;

                        This Book salutes in accents kind;

                        This Friend our needs will amply meet;

                        This Foundation sends forth joys sweet.

 

                        This Mine affords us boundless wealth;

                        This Good Physician gives us health;

                        This Sun renews and warms the soul;

                        This Sword both wounds and makes us whole.

 

                        This Letter shows our sins forgiven;

                        This Guide conducts us safe to heaven;

                        This Charter has been sealed with blood;

                        This Volume is the Word of God.

 

Author Unknown

20th Century Christian - February 1945

Right Path of Life

Let not the right path be forsaken
As you live from day to day
Let all evil, be put behind you
And follow Christ Who is the way
His teachings are the Bible
By obeying, you will reach your goal
Only trust His Word completely
The only way to save your soul.

 

O. J. Walker