The approach with this blog is a little different. Normally, you guys are our primary audience, but for this one, we have a different agenda. If you have a teenager or adult child who has walked away from their faith, this blog was written for them.
James 5:20 says, “Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” As a former student pastor, I know several young adults who have walked away from their biblical convictions, and I wrote this note to them to help keep them from causing further harm to themselves and to the Kingdom of God. It’s a note of truth in love, a note of encouragement and challenge from God’s Word. When you see a toddler running toward traffic, you drop what you’re doing to stop them from impending harm. That’s the heart behind this blog. Feel free to copy and paste it, add your own personal note, send it to someone you love who needs a reminder of God’s grace, and pray that they return to the Lord.
There is nothing new under the sun! When you think that we are living in unprecedented times, God can use Scripture to show you that what has already happened can cycle back around, except now we get to tweet it!
Recently, I was reading Nehemiah 9 and saw how Israel strayed from God, their Provider. They left devotion to Him because they became comfortable among people who did not follow God. See if this sequence of events sounds familiar:
- They stopped reading God’s Word and turned to selfish desires and idols.
- As a result, they experienced difficult times.
- After being reminded what God’s Word said about living in Him, Israel confessed their sin and repented.
- Because of God’s compassion and abounding love, He forgave and restored them.
This same pattern is prevalent in our nation today. As a former student pastor, I have been heartbroken to see numerous young adults walk away from the standard of God’s Word, which is eternal truth (Isaiah 40:8, 1 Peter 1:25) for a softer version of cultural opinion and placating affirmations. When Jesus invited people to follow Him, He warned what this followship would require in Luke 9:23:
- Deny yourself.
Notice, Jesus didn’t say to dig deep within and you’ll find all you need. That’s cultural teaching that leads to destruction. By nature, we are sinful and cannot measure up to God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23). Why do you think that the self-absorbed behavior of social media, replete with endless selfies and cries for compliments, leads to anxiety/depression and hollow feelings? Even though Paul lived in another time and place, he offered a warning about living for self when he told the Romans, “But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and anger” (Romans 2:8). - Take up your cross daily.
Following Jesus requires sacrifice. Culture encourages self-indulgence. True discipleship is a discipline that calls us to be different from the world in hopes that the unbelievers around us who are headed for hell and eternal separation from God would see our lives and be drawn to Christ (1 Peter 2:11-12). Paul beckons us not to follow the pattern of this world but to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Through the disciplines of prayer, fasting, studying Scripture, serving others, worship and obeying God, our minds can be renewed! - Follow me.
Followers of Christ prioritize and follow the teachings of Jesus, not culture. Society doesn’t want to hear the hard, narrow, objective truth of Christ. You should know that, before they decided to follow Him, Jesus warned His disciples that the world would hate them because it hated Him first (John 15:18-19). When a person turns to Jesus, they are turning their back on self and popular opinion. The disciple of Jesus knows that in Jesus are found “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). We don’t compromise God’s Word.
So look – I get it. I get the attraction to a softer, more comfortable Gospel. Last year was my 40th year of following Jesus, and this year marks my 50th year of being alive! Insert Jurassic Park theme song.🤣
Have I been tempted to leave my faith? Yes! I’ve had my faith and resolve tested numerous times. And by the grace of God, I survived with a stronger determination to live a life that honors Christ – not just for my sake but for those who are right behind me. For those struggling to hold on to their convictions and the truth of Scripture, for those I’ve discipled, taught, or invested in – I want you to know that anything less than biblical faith in Christ is not worth it. Soft “cultural Christianity” that bends to public opinion is not what Jesus calls us to.
To my friends who are wavering or have walked away from their faith, let me offer an encouraging word from Nehemiah. Remember, Israel boldly walked away from God at times, to the point of making idols for worship. But here’s the beautiful thing about God’s nature: When Israel turned back to God, He graciously received them. Nehemiah proclaims to God, “But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (Nehemiah 9:17). Friends, you’re not too far gone! Will you return to God, confess your sin and commit to follow Him? Take your eyes off the ever-shifting sands of culture and place them on the solid rock of Christ.
Consider this my attempt to say to you, “Follow Jesus – it’s totally worth it!” My heart is heavy for you. You are loved, and you are in my prayers.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
State Missionary Larry Hyche serves as men’s ministry strategist for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. He may be reached at 1-800-264-1225, ext. 2268, or (334) 613-2268, [email protected].