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And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden
in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the
presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8
D.L. MOODY
A rule I have had for years is to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. It is not a creed, a mere empty doctrine, but it is Christ Himself we have. The moment we receive Christ, we should receive Him as a friend. When I go away from home, I bid my wife and children goodbye, I bid my friends and acquaintances goodbye; but I never heard of a poor backslider going down on his knees and saying: “I have been near you for ten years. Your service has become tedious and monotonous. I have come to bid you farewell. Goodbye, Lord Jesus Christ!”
I never heard of one doing this. I will tell you how they go away; they just run away.
ERWIN LUTZER
The word deconstruction we hear about today can refer to people who leave the Christian faith. I know children who were raised in the church, they memorized all the verses, they may have even professed some kind of faith in Christ. And yet, they have walked away from the faith—often they are bitter. Believe it or not, this is not a new phenomenon.
But even so, I think Moody was right to say that backsliders do not say goodbye to Christ even if they might say goodbye to the church. Here is a challenge for us, “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear” (Jude 1:22–23). We need God’s wisdom as to how to respond to those who have left the faith. Each situation is different; and yes, our response should best reflect their situation and needs.
PRAYER
Father, help me to have mercy on those who have walked away from the faith and help them to return.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Is there any bitterness in your heart that needs to be cut out by the Lord?
Have you struggled with your faith? What in God’s Word comforted you?