I've said it before, and I'll say it again. We haven't seen the last of those proudly deconstructing our walking away completely from their faith. It seems to be a popular movement. And the reason why is simple: ministries that fall and fail do so because they walk away from the Word of God and are not centered upon the Gospel. Jesus warned us about this: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:9-14
So what can we do to combat this trend? Simple: be in the Word of God daily; know the Word so well that when false prophets arise (and they have arisen and are among us), you know it so well that you won't be led astray, and can even save others from doing so, and be centered on the Gospel. We are here because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Here is a way I teach kids and adults to share it(Images courtesy of We Care Ministries and Kiamichi Jumpstart):
The Gospel (The Good News)
Jesus (God in human flesh) came down, was born as a man, live a perfect life.
He did this to take care of two problems that we all have: sin (our rebellion against God) which leads to Death (the second problem)
He lived a life perfectly obedient to God, but was nailed to a cross because the people didn’t like the truth. BUT they also nailed our SIN to a cross (Jesus took care of our sin problem)
They buried him in the ground, but he rose again 3 days later, conquering death and taking care of our future death problem!
After he rose again, he preached for 40 days, and was taken up to Heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father and rule.
Some day, He’s coming back again to make all things right for those who believe in Him.
Isn’t that good news?
And we can get in on that good news by Repenting (turning away from) of our sins, following Jesus and being baptized in to Jesus to receive the free gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the news we all need to share, and make a part of our daily lives. This needs to be our center and focus. If not, we will lose our way. Romans 1:8-17
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”