I sometimes hear people express disappointment that someone they know has walked away from God and his church. It’s painful and sad.

“But they were brought up in the church,” they will sometimes say. In other words, since they often went to church, shouldn’t they know God and how important it is to worship and serve him as a part of the body of Christ?

But being brought up in the church and being brought up in the footsteps of Jesus are not always the same thing. Having said that, we need to acknowledge that there are times when someone goes to church and is a part of a home which is genuinely faith-filled—and they still walk away. I know people for whom this is true. These are often complicated situations.

We also need to acknowledge that if you are in North American there are more and more forces working against you: Christianity is now on the margins, there are sports and other activities on Sundays, the culture no longer actively supports many Christian ideals, you will increasingly be ridiculed, the digital world of distraction has fragmented how many people think, and our consumer culture has ravaged the church. You’re right: the church hasn’t always been perfect; but that’s because it’s filled with broken people—just like you.

My point is this: In a world like ours just showing up to church once in a while isn’t enough. Oh, and it never was.

In all of this there is a glorious opportunity.

First, remember that Jesus is the author of faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

Second, we can’t rely on others to teach our loved ones about Jesus. We need to make a habit of learning and doing and learning and doing—forever. You can’t outsource discipleship.

Third, we can get support by plugging in to a local church with other flesh-and-blood people who are trying to walk the narrow path. We’re Christians, not consumers. 

I recently heard it said that: “What one generation finds optional the next will find unnecessary.”* If a family thinks church is optional, the next generation will find it unnecessary. I don’t have data on that, but from what I’ve seen, it’s spot on.

In 2 Timothy 4:10 Paul mentions a man named Demas who deserted him because “he loved this world” more than God. 2000 years later, the battle continues. 

Trust God. Set a sincere example. Plug in to a local church week by week. 

“What one generation finds optional the next will find unnecessary.”

---

Notes:

–*As quoted by @christ_in_the_culture and @parable.podcast on Instagram. Date unlisted.

–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on October 14, 2024.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.