In part 1 I suggested two reasons why individuals may leave a church to join a cult. It could be that they were never truly born again believers or perhaps they had never been taught or understood biblical truth. Here I offer a further reason that may cause a person to get involved with a cultic group.
3) The Fellowship
The church is a fellowship of
believers. The Greek word translated fellowship is koinonia (κοινωνία) which literally means contributory help, participation,
sharing in.
In Acts 2 we read these wonderful
words spoken about the fellowship of believers:
And they devoted themselves to the
apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread
and the prayers. 43 And awe[d] came
upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the
apostles. 44 And all who believed were together
and had all things in common. 45 And they
were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to
all, as any had need. 46 And day by
day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their
homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising
God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to
their number day by day those who were being saved.
What
a glorious insight into the lives of this fledgling church. Notice how they
loved each other and shared with each other. Friends this is how the fellowship
of believers should be, but it is often far from it. We have perhaps all been
hurt by members of churches. Where love and compassion was needed, we only
found apathy and judgement. This is a sad reality for many.
Someone
once said that if you find the perfect church you need to leave – because you
would spoil it. The church is indeed imperfect – it is full of saved sinners. Christians
can, and often do, get it wrong.
Several years ago, I, along with a
few other Christians, visited an elderly people’s home. I sat down alongside a
very chatty ninety-three-year-old lady. I introduced myself and told her that I
was from the local church. She was quick to respond by telling me that she was
a Jehovah’s Witnesses. Saddened by her revelation but also thankful that it was
me sat with her, I asked her how long she had been a Witness. ‘Oh, only three
years, she said’. Puzzled, I asked her how that happened, and she proceeded to
tell me the following story.
‘I live alone and early one morning
I fell down the stairs. I was laid there for quite a while and I couldn’t move.
Suddenly there was a knock at my door. I was able to shout for help. A short
time afterwards an ambulance arrived. They managed to get into my house and
help me. The ladies who knocked at my door, who called for an ambulance, came
to hospital with me. Whilst in hospital, they phoned my family, did my shopping
and looked after my house. They visited me for the few days I was in hospital.
These ladies were Jehovah’s Witnesses. Though I used to go along to the Church
of England, no one from church ever called to see me or looked after me like
these ladies. I just knew that they were the true Christians and so I was happy
to join them’.
Hearing her story made me
incredibly sad. No doubt the JW’s would have blown their own trumpet about how
loving they are and how bad the churches are, but there is a lesson to be
learnt here.
Sometimes people may leave our
churches and join cults because Christians have not been very loving, or
supportive and so the ‘love-bombing’ cultist swoops in and picks up those hurt
by the church.
Actions can, and often do, speak
louder than words. Correct doctrine (orthodoxy) must produce correct practice
(orthopraxy).
Jesus said: A new commandment I give to you, that you
love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one
another. By this all people will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
It is my conviction that those who
leave a church and join a cult may have done so because they have not received
the love and support of the fellowship.
Belong – Believe – Behave
Is it possible to stop the flow of
those in our churches from joining a new religious movement? It is. But it can
only be achieved by the church being the church it is meant to be.
The Church must regularly preach
and offer the gospel. The Church must clearly preach and teach its doctrine.
The Church must love and support those in its care.
Comments
How sad and what better demonstration of the hatred ROT has for other denominations.
Your penchant for propaganda betrays what is in your heart for those that will not yield to your hatred. This kind of execration is one of the reasons why Protestant churches are losing members at an alarming rate.
You like to lay your losses at the feet of those Christians that follow courses different - how dare thay! - from yours.
Until and unless ROT changes its tune and falls in behind Jesus and the apostles, you will always be a whining voice crying hate in the wilderness that only has relevance to those that follow your well-cultivated hatred.
I write this to you in the spirit of Christian love.:<3