Why do so many fall away?



Over the last few years large numbers of professing Christians in the Free Church have been backsliding and apostatising. Some would blame our present troubles but the trend had begun before these broke out. Backsliding, of course, is nothing new. Every age has produced its own apostates. Even in New Testament times there was a Judas Iscariot, a Simon Magus and a Demas. However, what is particularly alarming today is that a surprisingly large number of professing Christians are turning back to the world. Why?

  1. Very young members.
    A relatively modern trend has been to profess faith at an early age. There are of course exceptions, but it is seldom wise for children of ten or twelve years to come to the Lord’s table. At that stage they have not yet faced the temptations of teenage years. Their understanding is very limited and they desire to please their parents. They are unable properly to examine themselves (1Cor.11:28) and they have not counted the cost (Lk.14:28).

  2. Success statistics.
    Today great stress is laid on success and ministers are very keen to boast of the numbers of new members that they have. They are not so ready to parade the numbers that fall away. Names are often left on membership rolls long after they should be removed. People are pushed forward and kirk sessions do not properly examine candidates for membership.

  3. Raised qualifications for Baptism.
    An attempt is made by some to raise the qualifications for receiving baptism for one’s children. Communicant membership is required. The result is that those who are regular church attenders and of an outwardly moral life are encouraged to become members in order to receive baptism. In effect the qualifications for the Lord’s table are lowered to those for baptism. Adherents are made into members. But are they saved?

  4. Easy decisionism.
    Arminianism is rampant in today’s world and people are encouraged to think that they can save themselves. It is just a matter of a decision or of saying a little prayer. Some church members have no personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is therefore not surprising that they fall away.

  5. Lack of searching preaching.
    Much modern preaching is not searching. Great stress is laid upon the “good news”. Professing Christians are constantly being comforted and no word of warning is issued. The danger that some church members may be just hypocrites is ignored. Assurance is not regarded as something to be questioned.

  6. Lower Christian standards.
    The standards for the Christian life have been lowered. What used to be regarded as unacceptable worldly amusements are tolerated. The separation between the church and the world has been minimised. There is no sacrifice involved in becoming a Christian. People think that they are safe while they live a life of worldly pleasure. But when trial or temptation comes, not having grace, they fall away.


What is the answer?

  1. Necessity of self examination.
    Not every believer is a true Christian. There are certain of whom we are told: “Many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man” (Jn.2:23-25). Yet the next chapter says: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (Jn.3:36). So there are two kinds of faith, one which is of the flesh and the other which is of the Spirit and is the first act of the regenerated soul. Individuals must be challenged: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2Cor.13:5).

  2. Searching preaching.
    Marks of grace should be part of preaching. People must be warned that there is a danger that they are hypocrites. Church-going and membership are no guarantee of salvation.

  3. Exercise of proper church discipline.
    There must be a careful watching over the sheep and an attempt made at an early stage to recover the backslider. Also others who are tempted must see the consequences and so be clearly warned. The Lord’s table should be fenced.

  4. Admission.
    Care must be exercised at the point when members are admitted. No one can read the heart. Yet there must be a credible profession of faith and a consistent life.

  5. Watchmen.
    Ministers must be aware of the terrible danger of allowing those under their care to sleep their way to hell when they think they are safe. Jesus warns that many will be horribly surprised on the Judgment Day. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Mat.7:22-23). How shocked the foolish virgins were to find the door shut against them (Mat.25:11)! Ministers will be held responsible for those who perish under their ministry without a proper warning (Ezek.33:6). What good will the praise of this world be if our works are burned up on the great day (1Cor.3:15)?


    Any comments or questions please E-Mail me or Rev William Macleod the editor.

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