WHY DO MANY LEAVE THE FAITH? ARE THEY STILL SAVED?
Psalm 37:28, “For the Lord delights in justice and does not abandon His saints (faithful ones); they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked will (in time) be cut off.” (Amplified Bible)
The other evening my wife and I and our daughter and son-in-law began to discuss people we ministered with who are no longer following Jesus. And then my mind wandered to the many people I know through the years who have “left the faith.”
Why?
Jesus said, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life” (John 4:14). And, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst” (John 6:35). And, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:38). And finally, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Math 11:31).
If all of that is true (and it is), did these folks never believe in the first place? Were they never truly born again? Are they still “saved” or are they “lost”? Can you lose your salvation? Is there “eternal security” (once saved, always saved) or is it “the perseverance of the saints” (your responsibility to follow through on your commitment)?
Today I looked through my sermon notes and collected writings concerning this matter. It is remarkable. I read one which passionately states eternal security and another which fervently postulates perseverance. Reading either without the other would totally convince me of both! And both are supported by multiple scriptures.
So how do I resolve in my ordinary mind what to believe and what satisfies my soul?
To this I give Eugene Petersen credit. In his book, “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction,” he offers a solution which makes complete sense to me. In summary it says: once you are truly born again your salvation is secure, no one can pluck you out of His hands, but if you decide you no longer want God in your life and turn your back on Him purposely and deliberately, He will not stop you. Once you willfully leave Him, there is no possibility of returning to Him.
This is both encouraging and terrifying. On the one hand my ongoing sin (because I have not yet been perfected in Christ) will not remove me from His grip, while on the other hand, if I purposely remove Him from my life, there is no turning back. (Heb. 10:26, 27, 31, 38, 39)
I realize that salvation and church attendance are two different issues, but somehow they must be related. The following statistics are alarming: a 2014 study showed there was an ongoing silent migration away from the church of an estimated 3,500 individuals each and every day. It indicated that over 1.2 million people would leave the church in the next year. In 2015, it estimated that over 10,000 churches would close their doors. The statistics of 2017 are more revealing: only 28% of people between the ages of 28-35 attend church; only 27% of ages 18-27 who grew up in the church remain in the church; attendance figures for other age groups range between 43-52%; only 49% of those who attend say they can find a positive impact because the messages are not relevant; 85% of churches are either declining or have plateaued.
Now the logical question is, so what? Why are you telling me this?
People are leaving for at least these four reasons: first, they do not find it relevant; second, they see the hypocrisy in our lives; third, they do not experience all they were (mistakenly) promised would be true in their lives after receiving Christ; fourth, their life-styles are too busy and enjoyable to include God as a priority, usually until there is a crisis!
Thus, for us as believers, we need to walk our talk, be able to relate to and accept people who are far different than we are in their convictions and life-styles, and not make unrealistic promises which cannot be supported by proper application of the scriptures. We are the Bible they read!!!
A song I love says: “I have decided to follow Jesus, No turning back.
Though no one join me, still I will follow.
Will you now join me and follow Jesus?”
May that be true of each of us.
Written By Neil Fichthorn: Rev. Neil Fichthorn is a seasoned conference and camping servant having served at Gull Lake Bible Conference, Sandy Cove Ministries as President, and an interim Executive Director at Pinebrook Bible Conference. He also served in church music for decades as a choir director and arranger. He has been Bill Welte’s mentor and friend for over 45 years.
Think About This: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” ― John Piper
This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 427 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
This place is beautiful! Great for a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Robert Rodriguez
1711813203
The bestest place
Florence Ibrahim
1711601879
Christan true and very clean and good food and speaker blessed bmy soul love it my home and will always come back again again for ever in the lord. Room was so beautiful . They work so hard to make you happy. Will try to bring family member to be... blessed hear also. I support all that they do to help men and woman find god. When I come to Keswick I didn't want to go home . That how happy and blessed I'm. Always pray for all of them daily. So glad I found this blessed placeread more
Ross Fichter
1710505821
Stayed here while we were visiting my in-laws at The Pines Living Facility. Exactly what we needed for lodging -- inexpensive compared to most motels without any loss of accommodations, and very Christ-centered environment. Plus they serve a great... breakfast every morning. No TV in the room, but that was not an issue for us, since there is nothing worth watching anyway. Staff were extremely friendly and did their jobs well. This place is a gem and a blessing to all who walk on their beautiful property.read more
Manuel Chávez Martínez
1709498094
Es un lugar maravilloso para disfrutar la palabra de Dios
Pianista Benjamín Arias
1708802888
Bien
William Dundas
1708697460
This place holds a special place in my life journey. I was Baptised there as I RE-DEDICATED myself. It was Febuary at night, so my review may not give it the right justice. What I can say, there were a ton of relaxing, peaceful locations to... re-connect with JESUS. Obviously, there was a pool, several lake's with benches. Gathering locations to celebrate, and break bread. A very wholesome Resort.read more
Adrian Obrien
1707934719
Spontaneous invite to girl talk! Loved it! Speaker was on point, fellowship and food , how better to start Valentines?
Ivelisse Romero
1707021027
Beautiful place to separate yourself for the Lord. Soo peaceful no technology which I love. Just you nature and God. I was there for a women's retreat.
Jennifer Crabtree
1706843166
A wonderful Christ- and family-oriented place! Beautiful grounds and welcoming staff. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at the conference we attended as well as the community hymn-sing. Highly recommend.
Jason Zimolong
1706837733
They've been a 5 star treatment and resort...doing God's work!
Patricia Simpson
1705193514
Peaceful little spot, so close to home 🩵
James Kolchin
1704151396
It's A Good Place To Have Retreats And They Have GREAT FOOD AND GREAT MUSIC
Kaia Leeds
1703475382
This was a very nice place!! I sang here with my school!!