THE BIBLE SPEAKS DAILY (OCTOBER 30th, 2024).

TODAY'S TOPIC:- SO SAD, CHRISTIANS ARE FALLING FROM THE FAITH!

 TODAY'S VERSE: 2Corinthians 13:5.

"....Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!..." ESV.

It is so sad, and disappointing, how some Christians are falling from serving the Lord God. Many professing Christians have also been overtaken in their mistakes, shortcomings and sins.

We shall consider some of these reasons, and by doing so, we can avoid the calamity that has befallen others.

Some Christians Are Falling Because:

1. They Forget Quickly The Commands Of The Gospel.

In becoming Christians we must hear the gospel, believe it, and obey it (Rom. 10:17; Mark 16:16; Heb. 5:9). We are taught that we must thereafter live a life of faithful service unto God. The process of edification informs us of varied duties we must sustain as God's people. Through teaching, the blessings of faithful service are outlined, just as the punishment for disobedience is taught. Unfortunately, many Christians forget what they have heard. James talks about the man who looks in a mirror, but turns away, forgetting what he saw. This man is called "a forgetful hearer" (Jas. 1:24-25).

Jesus addressed this same subject. He spoke of the foolish man who "heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not," contrasting that man with the wise man who "heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them" (Matt. 7:24-27). 

Even our Children are taught this lesson. They sing about the Wise Man and the Foolish Man. Do not allow yourself to forget what you have heard from the pages of God's word. If you do, you will fall from grace like others.

2. They Fail To Be Admonished. 

The Isaiah wrote: "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel cloth not know, my people doth not consider" (Isa. 1:3). This is a shocking comparison! 

Many Christians do not see themselves as  "Prisoner of the Lord". They do as they are pleased, and not as it pleases the Master. They do not know where they belong in the mission of the Almighty. They do not walk worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Actually, they would not acknowledge the Almighty God as their Father, and Jesus Christ as the Lord! They are thoughtless, without focusing on Heavenly, they run the Christian race aimlessly. These must fall, so that the Word of God may be confirmed, and be glorified!!!

3. They Became Worldly. 

When we obey the Gospel, God removed us from the World, and we were translated into the Kingdom of God, where Christ is the present King, the Church. 

Unfortunately, many looked back, longing for the ways of the World. 

They no longer remember the spiritual death of Sinners. They only remember the instant gratifications and pleasures of sin. 

They forget the injunction: 

a. "love not the world" (1 John 2:15-17). 

b. "And be not conformed to this world" (Rom. 12:2). 

c. "They are again entangled therein, and overcome" (2 Pet. 2:20). 

Soon these are living again in the same old sinful way they were living, before they became Christians. 

They are sin's victim again, and lost to the Lord.

4. They Became Self-confident. 

One of the biggest mistakes we make is thinking that:

"We are Christians, We can't be tempted to do evil again." 

This is the old false denominational teaching which says "once saved, always saved." The idea of this heresy is that God takes control so that we cannot sin and be lost again, once saved. 

Just remember, this is a false doctrine.

As Christians we are tempted by the Devil, and sometimes we fall. 

Paul used the word "overtaken" to describe this situation: 

"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" (Gal. 6:1). 

Peter himself fell back into sin and was restored by Paul (Gal. 2:11-14). 

God does provide us with "a way to escape" temptation, enabling us to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13). Sadly, many Christians will not prepare themselves by knowing the escape routes before-hand and they fall in the challenge of living the life of a Christian, returning to the World. 

Sadly, they become very comfortable with the World.

5. Many Christians Are Not Watchful. 

One of the Word frequently used in describing the life of the Servants of the Lord is "watch."        Jesus said: 

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt. 26:41). 

Peter warned about the workings of the Devil, telling Christians to be sober or watchful: 

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Pet. 5:8). 

Many will lose their souls to the Devil, because they were not watchful, as they were taught to be.

6. Many Are Lukewarm And Indifferent. 

Many Christians are not zealous for the things of God, as before. They simply become lukewarm, and weak towards HIM and HIS cause. They are called "lukewarm" by the Lord, and it is said God will spew them out of his mouth (Rev. 3:15-16). More Christians are in danger through this sin than perhaps any other. Life is regularly drained from the Church because of Membership indifference. Too many of us just simply will not listen to the admonition of the Lord. When Peter gave what we call "The Christian Graces" he concluded by warning:

"Wherefore the rather, Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (2 Pet. 1:10). 

The lack of diligence in serving God is a prescription for falling away from HIM.

7. They Stopped Reading, Studying And Meditating On The Word.

One of the consistent messages of the Scripture is that: 

a. We are to study to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Tim. 2:15); 

b. We are to give attendance to reading, exhortation, and doctrine (1 Tim. 4:13); 

c. We are to understand what the Lord's will is (Eph. 5:17); 

d. We failed to know that understanding comes by reading the Word (Eph. 3:3-4). 

e. That through this study God describes our duty. He spells out exactly what he expects, and what he will not permit us to do. 

 f. Failure to do our duty is sin (James 4:17). 

It is because many will not study God's word, and do this duty, they fall.

Conclusion

How can we avoid this danger? 

What can we do which will prevent falling away? Let me suggest these things briefly:

a. Develop a stronger faith in the Lord and in His work.

b. Be prompt and be instant in your obedience to the things you learn you are to do.

c. Be devoted and dedicated to your mission, which is going to heaven when you die.

d. Do the best you can, and do not settle for or accept anything less than the best you can give to your God.

e. Help one another, because we need the strength that comes from others who are living the Christian life.

f. Be diligent in prayers, the great avenue of prayer gives us access to the ear of God, and to the help that only He can provide, especially in forgiving us our sins, before we allow them to take us down.

g. Walk in the Faith, Love, and with Wisdom.

 These things will keep us faithful and secured.

The Bible warned us to take heed, lest ye fall (1 Cor. 10:12). 

The Bible says "Save yourselves" (Acts 2:40). 

Are you doing that?

TODAY'S PRAYER:

My Heavenly Father, help me to work worthy of my calling, as a Christian. Help me to forsake the World and its pleasures.

My Father, help me to put on the garments of Faith and it's righteousness, the whole armour of God.

Please Heavenly Father, heal the Sick and provide for the Needy around us, Amen.

Read, Study, Meditate and Do the Will of God always.

Credits:

Lewis Willis,

Benson Omole.

THANKS.

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This work is under the oversight of the Church of Christ Ekute Quarters Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Nigeria.