How do we react to something like this? Is this a sign that we should also reconsider our faith? Is it a sign that they were really just playing the part and were never ‘really Christians’? Does this mean that I might wake up tomorrow and decide I don’t believe what I’ve been saying for the past 20+ years? Does this mean that any one of us can just suddenly ‘lose our faith’?
I don’t think so. In the Bible (the place we should be looking for important truths), we see examples of both, do we not? Take Peter and Judas. Peter turns away from God in a moment of trial, but never really loses faith and is soon restored. Judas turns God over to the authorities, and maybe never really had faith. It is made clear multiple times that Judas was an uncaring money-hungry thief.
He (Judas) did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. (John 12:6)
Just because Jesus chose him doesn’t mean that Jesus also didn’t know what kind of man Judas was – and it doesn’t mean that Jesus thought Judas was sincere in his faith.
“I the Lord search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward each person according to their conduct,
according to what their deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10)
Look – this is my opinion, but what I see is that people that have truly been won into God’s Kingdom don’t just change their minds. Jesus says He will not lose a single one of those He was given:
And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. (John 6:39)
But there are many in this world that call themselves ‘Christians’ and don’t show it.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:20)
Jesus knows the hearts of these two men, and He knew long before they did that this day would come. When people ‘lose their faith’ the question has to be asked, how strong was their faith to begin with?
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Matthew 9:24)
#LoveMatters