I have heard numerous times from those who no longer attend any form of church because what they hear from the pulpit just doesn't ring true within their hearts or they just don't see any immediate benefit by continual attendance. I can understand those who turn away because the Word never really penetrated the layers secular thought being taught daily. When the Word doesn't fully take hold of an individual it is generally because the seed of the Word has fallen on desert sands or poisoned earth, a product of the individual mind set and the pollution one has absorbed throughout their lives. This is a very sad state and indicative of one continues to go through live in a small row boat with no oars and simply drift where the current current takes them and that destination is usually the rocks, again very sad when we as Christians know that not only are oars available to those who ask but outboard motors are ready to be installed on your little lifeboat once you understand that the knowledge of God and the love of Jesus are starting place for all real wisdom. People need to understand that this falling away or great apostasy is spoken of and prophesied to occur during these end days. This falling away is another sigh that all things are converging on a single point in time when all will be revealed. Be encouraged by these signs and know that those who hold fast run the race to completion will see the throne of God.
I want to simply point out to those who say "I used to be Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, etc. etc." or "I used to attend church but just don't go any longer because...well I just didn't see the point any more in light of the discovers made in modern times." This is a falling away, a falling away for any reason is still an apostasy, so any testing of ones faith during this period is truly the refining of the gold ore gathered. When the apostasy is complete we who are still standing in the faith will be the nuggets gathered to present before God. Life is a refinery with the individual being in control of the gathering to themselves the gold dust and small nuggets of the Truth found during ones search for the face of God. Pretty simple really, you get to build that temple within yourself with the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit if you will but accept the hand that reaches down to help lift you from the natural morass found on this earth.
Apostasy in Christianity refers to the rejection of Christianity by someone who formerly was a Christian. The term apostasy comes from the Greek word apostasia ("ἀποστασία") meaning defection, departure, revolt or rebellion. It has been described as "a willful falling away from, or rebellion against, Christianity. Apostasy is the rejection of Christ by one who has been a Christian.
Luke 8:11–13 – Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
1 Timothy 4:1 – But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.
Hebrews 3:12–14 – Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
When people say that they no longer attend any sort of church services but convince themselves they are still spiritual is like saying " I no longer display the American flag on the 4th of July because I just don't feel it but I still recognize the date on the calendar" and I'm sure all of those around your neighborhood still recognize you as a flag waving patriot even though you no longer wave a flag on that special day. People are not good recognizing that which they cannot see, help them to see.
I want to simply point out to those who say "I used to be Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, etc. etc." or "I used to attend church but just don't go any longer because...well I just didn't see the point any more in light of the discovers made in modern times." This is a falling away, a falling away for any reason is still an apostasy, so any testing of ones faith during this period is truly the refining of the gold ore gathered. When the apostasy is complete we who are still standing in the faith will be the nuggets gathered to present before God. Life is a refinery with the individual being in control of the gathering to themselves the gold dust and small nuggets of the Truth found during ones search for the face of God. Pretty simple really, you get to build that temple within yourself with the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit if you will but accept the hand that reaches down to help lift you from the natural morass found on this earth.
Apostasy in Christianity refers to the rejection of Christianity by someone who formerly was a Christian. The term apostasy comes from the Greek word apostasia ("ἀποστασία") meaning defection, departure, revolt or rebellion. It has been described as "a willful falling away from, or rebellion against, Christianity. Apostasy is the rejection of Christ by one who has been a Christian.
Luke 8:11–13 – Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.
1 Timothy 4:1 – But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.
Hebrews 3:12–14 – Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
When people say that they no longer attend any sort of church services but convince themselves they are still spiritual is like saying " I no longer display the American flag on the 4th of July because I just don't feel it but I still recognize the date on the calendar" and I'm sure all of those around your neighborhood still recognize you as a flag waving patriot even though you no longer wave a flag on that special day. People are not good recognizing that which they cannot see, help them to see.
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