Why has church attendance dropped so dramatically in America, if the Bible is the most read book in the world? Faith comes from the Word of God. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17 KJV). Hearing or reading the Word of God is essential for faith. But, unless loving obedience is required for one to wear the name of Christian, then Christianity will become a hollow shell of itself and the churches will become abandoned. “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified” (Romans 2:13). The solution to the desertion of the churches is to bring back the practice of Christianity that requires the Holy Spirit to be obeyed, in order to claim you have faith. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). 

Christianity has been so rapidly absorbed by the secular community that no longer does the world become more like the Church, but the Church has become more like the world. The youth of the Church will not notice this transformation, but the older members can remember the difference. Unfortunately, we, the older members, were responsible for the Church losing ground. “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19). 

(The following is a longer read, but hopefully, not too long. Scan ahead to preview.)

What Happened for the Church to Decline? 

First, may God forgive us for the shipwreck of the Church. It would be dishonest to blame anyone other than self. Claiming not to know what happened is like the captain blaming the crew or passengers for a shipwreck. Just as you dare not take your hands off the steering wheel of your car and expect it to drive itself home (2024), we must assume responsibility for the Church’s catastrophe. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2Chronicles 7:14). 

Second, we extinguished the collective influence of the Holy Spirit by dissipating Him, like momentum lost when a rolling object comes to a halt. “Quench not the Spirit” (1Thessalonians 5:19). We underestimated how crucial obedience to the smallest Spirit led action is for the progress of the Church, so we look back longingly to yesterday, when we saw “great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3). 

Third, we abandoned our First Love, which is Jesus. If we love Jesus first and foremost, then we would rightly love our neighbor as ourself (Matthew 22:37-39). We would not have allowed ourselves so easily to dissipate our energy and resources supporting actions, where Jesus is not the central focus. “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:4-5). 

Fourth, we allowed ourselves to be drawn into unequal unions or illicit relationships with the world, because our fleshly desires were stronger than our attraction to the Lord Jesus. This was Balaam’s advice to Balak to corrupt Israel by encouraging Moabite women to attract Israelite men. He deviously understood, Israel’s set apartness to Jehovah is the secret of their success. Moabites had no such limitations. “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods” (Numbers 25:1-2). Balaam rightly concluded, The best way to defeat Israel is to use Jehovah’s faithfulness in blessing friends and cursing enemies, by promoting Moabite women to attract Israelite men, thereby causing Israel to become the LORD’s enemy. “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Revelation 2:14). 

Fifth, we quit looking for Jesus to return at any moment. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). Failed estimates and predictions of His appearing have made us practical skeptics about His imminent return. “Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door” (James 5:9). “For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:37). “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). 

Sixth, we delayed His speedy return by not promoting it. “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat” (2Peter 3:12 KJV). Converting the world, discipling all nations, teaching them to observe everything He commanded us, would be fulfilled, if we prayed, and He answered the prayer to come quickly. “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). 

Seventh, we practiced lukewarmness by devoting ourselves to the Lord, only to turn around and lose all our ground to coldness, legalism, or worldliness (Revelation 3:16). Back and forth in a lukewarm dance. We did not rightly handle our spirituality with the affairs of the world, riches, and prosperity. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). We did not continually consult the Spirit’s guidance in the smallest things. 

In conclusion, we have a door opened to us, Repent or Else! “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:19-20). Accept accountability for aiding the decline of the Church. Embrace the solution that everything is our responsibility, so Spirit filled action can be the only solution. Expect to be overwhelmed by the LORD with His response. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). 

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