7/29/13- Falling Away from Church

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown...
18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:18-21)

Thoughts: Jesus even talked of "falling away" from the church and kingdom of God.  Jesus listed many causes for those who fall away.
1) The Path seeds- They never took root; The evil one snatched them away.
2) The Rocky seeds- The roots were shallow; They only lasted a short time.
3) The Thorn Seeds- Other things choked them out; Worries and wealth killed their faith. 
4) The Good Soil Seeds- bore fruit.
     There are lots of reasons why people leave the church.  Some say the church has failed because it speaks so much about sexual immorality (like this is not a problem for leaving the church).  But divorce, adultery, and different kinds of sexual immorality are common reasons why people feel guilty and leave.  Hopefully, some can find a way back to the church.  Some say the solution is to say that sexual immorality is no longer immoral.  Some say if we make God easy to believe in- removing all the supernatural, the miracles, the hard- to- believe sayings, and the commandments we don't like- then maybe people will respond and come to church.  There is no doubt this may work for a little while.  But what kind of commitment will people who believe only because it is easy make?  More than that, if Jesus speaks of following Him as hard- involving denying self and taking up the cross- then why should we seek to make things easy?  But perhaps even more important would be to ask ourselves about our motives and hearts- for the heart can be deceitful above all things.  Part of being faithful to God is being faithful to the way God reveals Himself.  

Prayer: Help me to be faithful to you and not fall away.