My heart was full of sorrow as I heard the news.
There’s something so sad when a person chooses to walk away from the Lord Jesus, even more difficult than grief of a loved one who was strong in the Lord.
For there is blessed hope of meeting again for the soul safe in the salvation of Christ Jesus.
But when someone who has heard the truth of the Gospel throws off those things meant for their protection, their good, their security in Jesus Christ, it rends the heart of those who love them.
My first response, after the sorrow is wonder.
Did they miss the scriptures which warn us of the dangers of rejecting God?
1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NKJV — For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
Don’t they understand that their actions are planting seeds into their future?
Galatians 6:7 KJV — Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Have they missed the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus to save them from sin?
Acts 4:10-12 NKJV — “let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Why choose a life of wickedness, for there is only righteousness for us through Jesus?
1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV — But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
At the end of all my questions, the facts remain that they’ve heard the truth and turned aside.
Whatever their reason for choosing to walk outside of God’s Word and in rejection of Him, their choices hurt those who love them.
Personally, I have watched many people choose this, and can’t understand why.
It never gets easier to experience.
Yet, my heart is encouraged by those who walk through extraordinarily difficult things with perseverance and joy.
Those individuals who have suffered and yet continue to praise the Lord.
Those who walk through persecution, loss, abuse, abandonment, and all kinds of trials yet their faith continues to grow.
They are those who refuse to see themselves as victims, refuse to fall into selfishness, refuse to abandon the Lord Jesus and His salvation.
Instead, they are humble, patient in affliction, full of forgiveness and love, always seeking opportunity to serve those around them, sharing the Gospel through word and deed.
While my heart continues to seek the Lord on behalf of those who have rejected the truth, I’m comforted by those faithful to the Lord Jesus.
Most of all, I’m inspired by the Lord Jesus and His faithfulness.
He died that those who believe should have everlasting life.
2 Corinthians 5:15 KJV — And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
patientlyhopeful 