I have observed for the past several years that some brethren from congregations that have been recognized as "sound" among us have left and started attending congregations that have taken a liberal view of using the treasury of the church for such things as fellowship halls, benevolent institutions, and certain colleges and etc. This has been a very shocking and sad experience to witness. I wondered how and why this could be happening. The answer could be different from individual to individual of course.

‑‑Some may have sat and listened without ever studying these issues out for themselves. They may have viewed it as just a "preacher fuss" over unimportant matters.

‑‑‑Others may have gotten their feelings hurt over some matter, so, "I'll just show them where I will start attending,"

‑‑‑Perhaps some were withdrawn from and they just go looking for a congregation that will accept them. And they usually can find it!

‑‑‑I am persuaded however that for the great majority of brethren that drift eventually into these congregations that they simply haven't been taught on these subjects. They have been lulled to sleep because of elders that discourage a preacher from speaking on them or because of the preacher deciding they are unimportant and irrelevant himself. I realize that it can occasionally happen even in the face of the best efforts that are put forth. Sometimes brethren do not even stop with the liberals but will go all the way into denominationalism.

But I believe for the greater number of them it would be because of soft teaching that could be done in any denomination with a hardy "amen" to lessons that condemn nothing. It allows one to become a member of the church without having to change his life except to attend services and partake of the Lord's supper. This type of teaching with some variation is primarily responsible for this exodus among us. They just haven't heard the truth on the plan of salvation, authority, work of the church, God's standard of morality and such subjects.

I may be a bad prophet and I hope I am on this but it will probably get worse. Failure to teach the whole truth will bring up the next generation even further away from the Lord than the present one. It doesn't take a Solomon to see that this has already happened in many congregations.

The only hope that sinful man has is God's plan for his salvation. His continuing to remain with the Lord is also the same answer. Obedience to God's will, not our ideas. 

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