Why Do Some Fall Away? 

Have you ever wondered where most of the CU (Christian Union) die-hards go after school? Why some of them are not in the church as they were while we were at the University or High School? Why are some of them doing more of clubbing, abusing alcohol, drugs, and all manner of sexual immorality? I’m sure this is a common and very sad scenario. But why does it happen? 

There is one brother I know who was once a CU leader. He was very active in the Christian Union activities and was perceivably a devoted believer. Upon completion of his studies, he got a great job. Sometime later, however, he dropped all he believed about God and became an Atheist. He is now one of the leaders of the Atheists Society of Kenya. So the big question is, what happened to him? Can someone who is truly a believer of Christ stop believing in Christ? 

Why Some Turn Away

To become a Christian, “…one must be born again”, says Christ in John 3:3. When one becomes a Christian, God gives them the right to be called his child (John 1:12-13). A Christian is one who has been justified, through the blood of Christ shed on the cross, to share in the inheritance with saints in the light, delivered from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Colossians 1:12-13). As Christians, we are ransomed (Christ has paid the debt we owed God because of sin), and in Christ, we have forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14). What an undeserved privilege it is to be a Christian. 

Furthermore, God has given specific promises to his children (Christians). He has promised to keep them from falling away (Jude 24). He has sealed them with the Holy Spirit, guaranteeing their inheritance in heaven (Ephesians 1:14). God also promises never to leave nor forsake his own (Hebrews 13:5). When Christ was praying for Christians in John 17:11, He asked God to keep them safe and to be with them. 

If a Christian were to really stop being a child of God, it would mean they were able to undo all that God has done. Job 42:2 clearly proclaims that this is impossible; none of God’s purposes can be thwarted. For a true Christian to cease being one is to say that God doesn’t keep his word, that he doesn’t fulfil his promises (Acts 2:37-38) and, even worse, his promise to his own Son (John 16:15). This can never be true of God since his word tells us in 2 Timothy 2:13 that God cannot be unfaithful.

When someone walks away from the Christian faith and does not return, it shows that they were not Christians in the first place (1 John 2:19). For example, Judas walked away, and we see him being referred to as the son of perdition (John 17:12). On the other hand, Peter, after denying Jesus, repents and is brought back to the fold. Jesus then explains that the devil sought Peter, but he prayed for him (Luke 22:31). The parable of the prodigal son tells us that even though one may leave, if they are a true son, they will return. However, if one were not a Christian in the first place, they would not come back to the Lord since their hearts are bent towards unbelief (Psalms 78:32). It is, therefore, true that a Christian can fall into sin, even for a considerable period. However, God will always draw them back. Just as it was with the prodigal son, life in the loving embrace of God will always be better than living in sin, the pig’s pen (Luke 15:11-32). 

The following paragraphs will highlight why sometimes the most committed brothers and sisters in the faith fall away. 

Service at the expense of calling

Let us not equate serving the church to Christianity. God has tasked all Christians to serve in one way or another, especially in the local church, and for students, that would be the Christian Union (1 Peter 4:10-11, Galatians 6:10). But one must not assume that this service is what validates one’s Christianity. God has indeed granted us many gifts and talents, and these gifts are profitable for the building up of the body of Christ (Romans 12:6-8). However, we know well how, for example, some non-Christians sing better than some Christian singers. Christianity is, therefore, not a matter of talent or gifting. Christ tells us in John 13:35 that the only way Christians can show the world who they are is by loving one another. 

At the top of the reasons many fall away is losing sight of what Christianity is truly about. 

Serving yet not being served 

Often, people in CUs and churches will get involved in many ministries. This is not a bad thing. However, one should never imagine that this indicates growth in the faith. That is not usually the case. Serving Christ is not the same as seating at the feet of Christ. When Jesus Visited Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42, we see an interesting contrast between how the two women carry themselves. While Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening and learning, Martha was distracted with much serving. Because of that, Jesus commended Mary for choosing to sit and listen to him over Martha, who missed out on a splendid opportunity to learn from Christ. 

The story of Mary and Martha reminds us that in as much as serving is good, the Lord values more a heart that is willing to have a close relationship with him. 

Pride

In the United States of America, a movement dabbed the me too movement (2006-2017) had prominent men exposed primarily due to sexual misconduct. Thanks to this movement, highly established preachers also found themselves on the list of perpetrators. Many people, especially women, would come out and say, for example, they were sexually abused or involved with a preacher in an affair, and many others would also say that they too had such an encounter with that preacher. 

One interviewer asked the clergypersons how they fell into such sins, and they would always answer that they never imagined they would fall into such temptations. 

The Bible warns us against self-righteous pride (1 John 1:8). We must remember that all of us are prone to wander. Therefore, we must take heed when we think we are standing, lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12, Galatians 6:1).  

What we must do 

We can only grow in our relationship with God by carefully studying God’s word and living in obedience to him. Then, we will resist the devil and avoid sin (Psalms 119:9, 11). D.L Moody said that the word of God would keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the word of God.

The Christian walk must not be a lonely one. God desires that we be part of a community, the local church (Acts 2:44-47). In our learning institutions, we must strive to be in a community of Christians with whom we can grow, such as in the CU or a Bible Study group. Even after studies, we should not allow ourselves to be lone rangers in our walk of faith. Instead, we should intentionally plug into a Bible centred community of believers (Ephesians 4:4-7) where we will find good accountability as we spur one another to love and to good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). 

As Christians, it is vital to evaluate ourselves in light of God’s word continually. Do you live as one who totally depends on him to keep you from sinning and provide you with grace to live a self-controlled and righteous life, that now you can say no to unrighteousness (Titus 2:11-12)? The following list highlights essential aspects of the Christian life. You can use it to evaluate your walk of faith: 

  1. Genuine love for God (Psalm 42:1, Psalm 73:25)
  2. Hatred of sin (Psalm 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, Romans 7:14)
  3. Humble (Psalm 51:17, Matthew 5:3)
  4. Devoted to God’s glory (Psalm 105:3, Psalm 115:1, Isaiah 48:7, Jeremiah 9:23-24)
  5. Continually in prayer (Luke 18:1, Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 4:6)
  6. Selfless love (1 John 2:9, 3:14, 4:7)
  7. Separated from the world (1 Corinthians 2:12, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17)
  8. Spiritual growth (Luke 8:15, John 15:1-6, Ephesians 4:12-16),
  9. Obedient Living (Matthew 7:21-23, 1 Peter 1:22-23)
  10. Hunger for God’s word (1 Peter 2:1-3)
  11. Transformed life (2 Corinthians 5:17)

All eleven of the things listed above are accurate of genuine believers but not true of non-believers. Some of us may have fallen away likely because we have not taken heed of the means of grace that God has provided for our good: prayer, reading God’s word, fellowship and sharing the gospel with others. God has given us these means of grace to help in our growth in the faith. But, like the prodigal son, we have taken God’s love for granted and spent it on sin. As a result, we have led ourselves into the quicksand of sin. Remember, God is willing and ready to bring you out of that lonely path. Do not despair. 

If you need more information about salvation or want to put your faith in Christ, please click the ‘Receive Jesus‘ button and we will be glad to help you. 

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2 thoughts on “<strong>Why Do Some Fall Away? </strong>”

  1. ” many falling away is losing sight of what Christianity is truly about. “…what a good insight for sure I conquer with you was in campus and now I volunteered in Iserve Africa to be trained and for sure I can say ….was heading there but I thank GOD now I know what “CHRISTIANITY IS “….though was a mission CORDINATOR in the whole campus but I did understand the meaning of Christianity and what Gospel is ? ….
    Thanks Earnest ….a mentor since I joined campus ….during boy meet girl programme

  2. Hi, I just left campus now almost six months and I can just identify with all what you are writing sir
    Okay, campus offers a very conducive environment especially when you are in the CU family, not the circle of friends you hang out with, not the impartation meetings you attend, not the countless fellowships and many activities you do together under the family of God, not to mention the lot of Free time you have to persue growth and service to God.
    Outside here, the tale is different and tough, you are like starting a completely different life (socially) New friends (colleagues who most of them are not believers), New neighbors, new living standards and not importantly forgetting a new church and pastor. For the case of the new circles (colleagues) at some point you face the pressure to identify with them especially going for treats in various various compromising areas, if not born again.
    So at this point, I think it’s only the love of God that can fuel your passion to stick in faith.

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