Spiritual Crises and the Last Days

Many in the contemporary Christian world were stunned in recent weeks as two highly recognized and regarded “faith-influencers” publicly abandoned their Christian faith.

They announced by social media that they did not consider themselves, nor desire others to consider them, as “Christians.”

Author and former pastor Josh Harris first announced that after almost 20 years of marriage, he and his wife Shannon were separating and he no longer considers himself a Christian.  He described this giant leap toward apostasy as a “deconstruction” of his faith.

He also stated that he was reevaluating his views on the LGBTQ agenda and apologizing to them for not supporting same-sex marriage and affirming their place in the Church. He followed that up by attending and posting pictures of himself at Gay Pride events in Vancouver, B.C.

Then, former Hillsong United’s songwriter Marty Sampson revealed that he was “genuinely losing my faith.” Sampson was a songwriter and worship leader for the mega-music-ministry in the ‘90s. He posted on social media that he was giving up on Christians and Christianity. He said he struggled with various issues regarding science and “contradictions in the Bible.”

However, he subsequently clarified on Instagram that he has not “renounced” his Christian faith but that it is on “incredibly shaky ground.”  Both he and Harris need our prayers so that these rather public fallings from the faith do not have to be final.

Peter, you may recall, publicly denied the Lord Jesus three times in one night! Then, the Lord said to him,

“Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to have you, to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have repented, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).

History tells us, Peter patiently endured and his life ended as a martyr, crucified upside down, at his request, because he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

We should not be too surprised by these sad situations, because we have been warned this will happen in the Last Days: “Now the Spirit clearly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith and pay attention to seducing spirits…” (1 Tim. 4:1a MEV).

Jesus told the disciples that in a future stressful season of troubles and persecution,   “many will fall away” and “because iniquity will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matt. 24:10-12).

Paul taught the Thessalonians that the future day of God’s wrath and judgment on un-repented non-believers “will not come unless the falling away comes first…” (2 Thess. 2:3). These kinds of spiritual rebellion and defections from faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by false believers will continue and increase, as we approach His promised return (1 Tim. 4:1).

While Harris and Sampson are “deconstructing” their faith, we can wisely “reconstruct” ours by reviewing and renewing biblical foundations for our faith. We can make sure our footings are sound and the materials of our lives are in compliance with God’s Word. It will help us reaffirm our own convictions and equip us to stand strong in times of adversity, doubt, and tribulation.

How to believe as a Christian

Genuine, saving faith is more than mental assent to the facts of sin and salvation. It is a personal trust that produces righteous obedience. It is more than believing or reciting information about Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It is a continuing transformation from the inside out, by the power of God’s abiding Spirit.

We were dead to Christ, while actively alive in our sinful lifestyles. But now, we are “dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11 MEV).

Belief matters! It compels us to “present (our) bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is (our) reasonable service of worship” (Rom. 12:1 MEV).  We must resist being “conformed to this world.”

Rather our reasonable beliefs and holy practices bring about spiritual transformation “by the renewing of (our) mind(s), that (we) may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (v. 2 MEV).

How to believe as a Christian in the Last Days

The Apostle John was imprisoned on the Isle of Patmos for his witness to “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (see Rev. 1:2, 9.)  While the word of God reveals the will of God, the testimony of Jesus Christ reveals the way of God (John 14:6).

The English word “testimony” is the Greek word “marturia,” from which our word “martyr” is derived. Its use in Revelation is also translated as “patience” or “patient endurance.” The witness for Jesus Christ, during the harsh days of tribulation to come, is described as exhibiting “patient endurance” (Rev. 13:10b and 14:12). Pastor Jack Hayford has described the term as “steadfast courage under unjust suffering.”

The implication is that the attestation, evidence, or certification the witness gives is true and they are willing to die to prove it. Revelation 12:11 specifically says the overcomers “did not love their lives to the death.” On the basis of the Cross and the authority of God’s Word, the martyr/witness does not shrink from the possibility of martyrdom. This “patience and faith of the saints” (Rev. 13:10b) sustained them in the midst of tribulation and trials.

And it will sustain us, as well. Let us encourage and empower each other so that our faith will not fail, as we would “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (14:12) in the Last Days!