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DESPITE A THOUSAND EXCUSES, WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE IT'S ALWAYS PERSONAL.
When people leave the church,
they make excuses. They blame it on others. They complain there's too much negativity.
They put the responsibility on others. They're just about money, they say. They're
too demanding. The preaching is too long and not relevant. The church was cliquish.
No one visited me. The church wasn't friendly enough.
But it's always personal. No one leaves the Lord because someone else made them
do it. If you are a Christian, and if you love the Lord, then you don't leave
the Lord and His church family because of someone else.
Usually when people leave it is because they have hidden sins. They are privately
struggling with sexual immorality. They are watching porn. They love sports
or gambling or drinking and it all must be kept secret. They are out of control
in their habits. Their guilt isolates them. They know they are living a double
life. They have to smile at church and at the same time feel the silent weight
of guilt. God is pricking them. Sooner or later, either they repent and get
right with God, or else they quit the charade and leave. They leave with excuses
and blamings. Excuses only conceal the truth that the charade is too tiring
to maintain. And so the Christian leaves the Lord.
After a period of time, the departure will prove to be only the first sign of
falling. It's very sad. It's very, very sad. It's sad for the fallen soul. But
it's also sad for the church. The false accusations. The negative remarks against
God's people. The church was made to feel guilty. The church members were made
to believe things happened causing the person to leave. Preachers, Elders, Teachers,
and others Christians had the blame pinned on them. And they second guess and
think maybe their imperfection was to blame. This is a case of injustice. It's
very sad that people don't leave and just be open and honest about why that
they just don't love the Lord.
By Dan Mayfield
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