And He said to them [Peter and Andrew], ‘Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.  Matthew 4:20

Many leave the faith because they had a bad experience with Christians.  We’re often not able to tell whether their disillusionment goes beyond people to Jesus Himself.  Perhaps they don’t even know.  If it’s your adult children who have walked away, you probably agonize as to where they will spend eternity.  Concern turns over time to anguish, affecting every part of your day. 

I sensed the Lord speaking to me about this a few years ago.  I saw that there was a need to differentiate between the rejection of American Christianity and the rejection of Jesus.   I remember wondering ~ ‘If Jesus walked into the room of many who have supposedly left the faith, would some be drawn to Him?  Would they see His glory and realize that their love for him was alive?  Would they understand that their issue was not with Him but with an often-toxic Christian culture?’  I believe the answer to these questions is yes.

Jesus hung out, much of the time, with disreputable people – those outside the faith.  Some were drawn to Him.  After just one encounter, they left their old life.  All of this played out against the backdrop of poor treatment by the religious crowd. 

So, in closing, think of a few people who weigh heavy on your heart today.  Picture Jesus walking into a room where they are.  Would they be repelled, or would their heart respond, soften, and reach out in love?  Perhaps they decided early on to follow Jesus, and their hearts are still bent toward the Light, even though unchurched.  Some of you, right now, are embracing new hope.  All is not lost, and the Holy Spirit is still wooing them through the fog of their confusion.  They need a private God-encounter.

Purify Your church so the disillusioned can come home.  But today, right now, have mercy on the prodigals and show them the Light of Your countenance.  Amen