Jump Start # 3955
2 Timothy 4:10 “for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.”
I saw the other day that Microsoft is no longer going to support it’s graphic program Publisher. After October next year, Publisher files will not be able to be read on Microsoft platforms. That may be a passing item for you, but for me this is a Titanic moment. Everything I do, I mean EVERYTHING, including this very Jump Start is in Publisher. Nearly fifty years of sermons, classes, close to four thousand Jump Starts, every letter I have written—everything I have done is in Publisher. I love Publisher. Our theme books are designed in Publisher. My world revolves around Publisher. And, now, it not only is ending, but all of those zillion of files have to be converted or else they won’t be useable.
Every year we hear of business that go out of business. Restaurants close. Musical groups quit. But, worse of all, is when a disciple quits. When a Christian no longer walks with the Lord, it kills his influence. When a Christian no longer walks with the Lord it severely hinders his family. It hurts the church. The world gets just a bit darker and it ruins the soul.
It seems every year congregations face the tragic impact of someone who no longer wants to be a N.T. Christian. Why does that happen? Here are some reasons:
First, many times the person was never fully committed. There were things about Christianity that appealed to him, especially the friendship with nice people, but he never did any more than stick one big toe into the pool of faith. He did not deny themselves as the Lord said. He never crucified self or died to sin. He never grew and as the Lord illustrated in the parable of the sower, the little seedling withered and dried up.
Second, some never developed a positive support system. This is why fellowship is so important. It may be that they didn’t feel that they fit in. It may be that they thought others wouldn’t like them. Being social people as we are, they kept a network of worldly friends. They didn’t receive spiritual encouragement as they needed. They didn’t see spiritual examples very often. They didn’t receive the spiritual advice that would help them. And, without that positive fellowship around them, they became like their friends.
Third, some have never moved on from the disappointment of others. A brother said something that was unkind. Feelings were hurt. No apologies were offered. And, because of the way others treated them, some have just given up totally. The Lord never treated you that way. The Lord never let you down. But, the Lord’s people can be so different. We are a work in progress and some need a lot of work. But, isn’t the family like this as well. We can bump and hurt each other in our family, say mean things to one another and we don’t go next door, knock on the door and ask a neighbor if we can be a part of their family. No. We work through the issues. We have conversations. We shed tears. We apologize. We extend grace.
Fourth, some have made major mistakes since they became a Christian and the feeling is that God will not take them back. We know in theory the Bible says He will, but in our situation, we doubt that. Back to the bottle. Back to drugs. A divorce. An arrest. Chasing the latest spiritual fads have led us deep into the wilderness and away from God’s word. We’ve said some mean things to others. The hardships of life have nearly crushed us. We feel that we are not worthy and we are not. We don’t deserve God’s grace, and we don’t. Prodigals as we are, God is looking for you. God is wanting you. God will do all that He can to turn you back around. He is so good. He is so compassionate. He never gives up on you. NEVER.
Christians quit. That doesn’t have to be how the story ends. Get started once again. As long as there is life in your body and soul, God will help you. The Navy Seals have a motto: No man left behind. When we start living that way with each other, fewer and fewer will fall through the cracks. Together in heart. Together in work. Together in our journey with the Lord.
I have more hope for a Christian that has quit than I do in my Publisher files.
Roger