72 - Jared – The Heartbreak and Sobering Reality of Apostasy
“Today’s recording was a part of the dialogue Michael and Jared were having between themselves via voice recordings, so there is no email for this episode.”
The Heartbreak and Sobering Reality of Apostasy
My heart aches as I write this, burdened by the stories of those who once walked in the light but have strayed from the path of faith. It's a painful reality, one that many would rather ignore. But as followers of Christ, we cannot shy away from the difficult truths found in God's Word.
Hebrews 6 paints a stark picture of those who "fall away," making it impossible for them to be brought back to repentance. Hebrews 10 echoes this warning, speaking of those who willfully sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth. These are not lighthearted words, but sobering reminders of the eternal consequences of abandoning our faith.
In Matthew 24:12-13, Jesus foretells a time when "because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." This chilling prophecy resonates with the countless emails I receive from those who confess to losing the presence and blessing of God in their lives. They cry out in desperation, longing for the joy and peace they once knew.
It's tempting to dismiss these stories as mere spiritual attacks or temporary setbacks. And while that may be true in some cases, the Bible clearly states that many will fall away. This is not a message of condemnation, but a plea for vigilance. We must take these warnings seriously, not to live in fear, but to spur us on to greater faithfulness.
The path to eternal life is narrow, as Jesus Himself tells us in Matthew 7:14. It requires constant striving, a daily dying to self, and a unwavering commitment to follow Christ, even when it's difficult. The Apostle Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 4:18 that "if it is hard for the righteous to be saved," how much more those who disobey?
So, let us not grow complacent in our faith. Let us cling to Christ with all our might, remembering the words of Jesus in John 16:1, "I have told you these things so that you will not go astray." Let us pray for ourselves and for those we love, that we may all persevere to the end, running the race with endurance and finishing strong.
