If we had back in attendance at worship services, Bible classes and Christian activities the young people who grew up in the local church, each congregation would have to build larger rooms, auditoriums and activity areas to accommodate the numbers. It is a shame to lose anyone, but especially those who sat at the feet of teachers and parents who sought to guide them into faithfulness to the Lord. In spite of the efforts, too many children fell away, and the challenge of bringing them back is a great one. Some have developed unwholesome attitudes since departing.
Really, there is only one thing which will bring the lost to the Lord. Abraham said to the rich man (Luke 16:19-31) when he asked for help from the dead for his five brothers lost back on earth: “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” Then he added, “If they were not persuaded by Moses and the Prophets [the Word of God] neither would they be persuaded though one went unto them from the dead.”
We substitute some things hoping good will come. It is good to be around those erring souls, to encourage them with parties and showers when they marry, and when they are about to bear children themselves, but rarely do these good events bring anyone to return to the Lord. It is good to plead for the cause of truth, the Lord’s sacrifice at the cross and all the other spiritual ideals that Jesus taught, but rarely does anyone return to the Lord from those conversations. The truth is Abraham had it right: Respect for God and His Word will bring someone back to the right and not anything else. A good deed done to them, a good conversation shared with them or our personal good example are the right things to do, but till we mention to them “God’s Word has to lead you” or “Please understand God loves you and wants you to serve Him,” we have not done enough of the right kind of interaction with them. In fact, should not we parents bring up these comments and questions when our children are growing up in the family? I am afraid too little attention has been given to conversations that lead to explaining ‘why’ God wants us to love him and behave the ‘word spoken’ way.
