So now there are two high-profile alleged Christians who, in less than a month, turned their backs on Jesus. A few weeks ago Joshua Harris (megachurch pastor and author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye) proudly proclaimed his freedom from what I am certain he considers toxic Christianity. He promptly divorced his wife and shortly thereafter marched in a Gay Pride parade.
Today we have news of another big name ‘Christian”; Hillsong worship leader and songwriter Marty Sampson also boasts of having escaped from Christ.
It’s nothing short of tragic for them, their families, and for those who looked up to them that Satan can now do a victory dance at their fall.
December of this year will mark 47 years that I have walked with Jesus. And in those nearly five decades I have seen many, many men and women fall away from Christ. To my knowledge, none have ever returned.
Scripture provides us two primary reasons why people turn away from Jesus. Either they tire of doing what Jesus wants them to do, or they grow angry and annoyed that Jesus doesn’t do what they want Him to do.
In either case, they kick at the idea that He is God – and they are not.
Do you think Harris’ and Sampson’s apostasy could not become your own story? The Holy Spirit warns us through Paul’s pen: Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
St. Peter tells us a truth we dare not gloss over: “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
The shorter the time grows before the Lord Jesus’ return, the more urgent the devil grows in his seduction of humanity – and especially of church-goers.
No wonder St. Paul urges us: “Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10)
I hope you will reread the entire section about the armor of God in Ephesians six. Read it often and live by it. Put on daily your spiritual armor. Stay alert daily in your armor. You do not want your end to be as Harris and Sampson, high-profile deserters who are to be pitied.
And, please, lifted to God in prayer.
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