What Makes The Difference (How you will remain a Christian)

It's the end of May and young adults are graduating from High School.  It's a great accomplishment, rightfully filled with excitement and anticipation of what's to come.   Churches are having ceremonies celebrating the accomplishments and future plans of these young people and everyone has dreams of grandeur.  Potential seems, and is, endless for most.  After all, the Word itself declares "'For I know the plans I have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)  Ephesians 3:20 speaks of a God who is "able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." There are numerous Scriptures that speak to what God is able to do in and through His children.  

But why is it that it seems that young people who have been in the Church, some for their lifetime, fall away from the Lord during their college years?  What is it that keeps the "few" that continue to walk with the Lord on the proverbial "straight and narrow?"

I'll sum it up with one word, a word that can be found 245 times in the KJV of the New Testament according to christianbiblereference.org: FAITH.  To put it in perspective, the word "love" only appears 179 times, according to the same reference.  

Now, the thing about faith is "it comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17b NKJV) The Bible does not advise that it comes by attending 54 meetings or services a year, being at church every time the doors are opened, or volunteering to feed the homeless or prison ministry.  

We live in a culture that is overly concerned with what feels good or makes us happy.  We overlook things that are vital for our health and survival, both spiritually and physically, in order to indulge in what gives us goosebumps.  Unfortunately, this phenomenon has leaked into the Church as well. Service was "great" when the song service felt jubilant and the preached Word was entertaining.  We look to the worship pastor to lead us in our favorite songs and the preacher to bring a Word we can shout to.  Don't let the song service include a song we don't like (because we only sing the ones that we like, right?)  or the preacher say something that cuts us where it hurts (because then we'll be obligated to write a letter and tell him our thoughts).  It's all about ME ME ME and not HIM HIM HIM.

But I digress.  Look, what we need to focus on is not the things I outlined in the last paragraph.  Instead, as Christians, we need to develop a hunger for the Word.  We need to learn the Word of God for ourselves, so that when the professors and peers declare that God is "anti-gay" and that the Bible "contradicts itself" and that Christians are all hypocrites, we not only have an answer for them, but it doesn't shake our faith, because our Faith is built on the solid rock of the Word.  We won't feel insecure when challenging topics come up in lectures, and we'll understand and be confident in our God who is wiser than anyone we encounter on campus.  When times are hard it won't be "quick, call the pastor to pray for me and tell me what to do" but rather, I know what God's Word says and I can speak the Word over my own situation.  Because, after all, if you've grown up in the church physically I hope you have grown up in the church spiritually as well.  

Now, if you realize that you've been churched for years and you're still an infant, don't despair!  It's not too late.  Open your Word.  Choose a verse to memorize each week, read a Proverb each day, get on a Bible reading plan.  Overindulge!  You can't get too much good stuff when it comes to the Word.  The Word brings life.  It builds your faith, and allows you to see your God as He is...the God of Truth, the God of Love and the God Who Sustains You.

-eRiKa