While many religions claim to have the Truth, millions of people leave their organizations every year when they realize they are not what Jesus intended. Jehovah wants you to truly find Him and experience His presence. Find out how you can connect with the true teachings of Christianity.
Why Some Leave Organized Religion
Christians who have chosen to serve Yahweh Jehovah, sometimes face unexpected obstacles that can cause them to lose their way. Some have become too engrossed in secular work, focusing on the material world, which has led them to stop associating with a congregation. Meanwhile, others are overwhelmed by personal problems such as disability and unrealistic expectations. Then too some are looking for real answers to Bible questions that the group that they belong to claims to be able to answer and yet cannot, or else keeps changing the answers. Some had believed that they had found the truth only to discover that it wasn’t in practice. Some have been affected by such dreadful actions as disfellowshipping or child abuse.
Even more, there are those whose devotion to the faith is put to the test when fellow believers cause hurt and this then creates resentment or when leaders indulge in favoritism or miss leading behavior. When matters are left unresolved, bitterness can grow and eventually cause individuals to drift away from their spiritual community. It is one thing to be told to ‘wait on Jehovah’ to resolve matters but when Jehovah is not in fact with the group then matters will not be resolved.
Indeed, serving Jehovah in these pressured days is not a smooth journey, but a pilgrimage with many roadblocks and challenges.
Jehovah is Interested in All
Jehovah, our loving God, never forgets those who once searched for Him, even if they have temporarily stopped looking due to disappointment. He treasures the work they’ve done in His service. In the book of Isaiah, we see that Jehovah cares for His people like a caring shepherd who gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. Isa 40:11 ‘Like a shepherd he will care for his flock. He will gather together the lambs, And in the bosom position he will carry them. He will gently lead those nursing their young.‘
When one of his sheep wanders off, the great shepherd feels a longing to bring the lost one back into the fold. Jesus revealed this truth, saying that even if a shepherd had 100 sheep, he would search for the one that went astray, rejoicing when he found it. Why is Jehovah likened to a shepherd? Because, just like a good shepherd, Jehovah cares deeply for His people and takes action to find the lost ones. Jesus teaches us that the Father in heaven desires for none of His little ones to perish.
In caring for his flock, a good shepherd understands that sometimes sheep may stray onto a false path. When this happens, the shepherd doesn’t treat the lost sheep harshly. This example is evident in how God helps his servants who wander from searching for Him perhaps getting caught up in a make-believe faith.
For instance, when the prophet Jonah ran away from his assignment, God didn’t give up on him. Like a good shepherd, God rescued Jonah and helped him regain his strength to fulfill his task. Later, God showed Jonah the value of each human life through a bottle-gourd plant. This teaches us that Jehovah is looking for the sheeplike ones who have been hurt and is keenly interested in assisting them.
In Psalm 73, the writer grew discouraged at the prosperity of the wicked and questioned the worth of serving God. But God didn’t condemn him and even had his words recorded in the Bible. Eventually, the psalmist realized that a good relationship with Jehovah is worth more than anything else. As Christians and Bible Students today we do not judge those who question the benefits of serving God but rather try to understand their concerns and point them towards the necessary Scriptural encouragement. If you have broken free or been shunned by a faith that has a form of Godly devotion that is not real then rejoice at your freedom. Jehovah is here waiting for you.
When the prophet Elijah fled from Queen Jezebel, he thought he was alone in serving God and that his work had been in vain. But God didn’t condemn him. Instead, God assured Elijah that he was not alone, provided him with new assignments, and listened to his concerns. We see the personal interest of God. In turn we can imitate Jehovah and we should treat the lost kindly. Many have been treated harshly and we may need to help them by showing them a lot of kindness. Help them to see that Jehovah loves them.
Consider Jesus’ Illustration
Luke 15:8-10 “What woman who has ten drachma coins, if she loses one of the coins, does not light a lamp and sweep her house and search thoroughly until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends together, saying, ‘Celebrate with me, for I have found the drachma coin that I had lost.’ In the same way, I tell you, joy arises among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
In Jesus’ day, ten drachma coins were given as a gift to daughters on their wedding day. One such precious coin was lost, causing great distress to the woman who owned it. She searched tirelessly, even sweeping the house clean, until she finally found it glinting in the light of her lamp. Overwhelmed with joy, she shared the good news with her friends and neighbors.
This parable reminds us that caring for those who have been hurt but organized religions also takes effort. It may be years since they stopped feeding themselves spiritually and they may still be crushed as a result of false teachings, abuse or harsh treatment. But at this very moment, some of these ones long to return to worshiping Jehovah but know that they need to hear the truth this time. Simply using the name Jehovah does not make a people God’s people any more than everyone claiming to be Christians lives by a set of Christian values. Jesus said that the ‘fruitage would show’ whether this one was good or bad. As Bible Students we can encourage such ones and let them know that Jehovah is seeking them and wanting to give them something better than they had before. A genuine relationship with Him.
Are you looking to help those who may have been hurt?
Take a cue from Jesus’ illustration of the wayward son in Luke 15:17-24. The father in the story sets a powerful example with his warm embrace and practical steps to ensure his son knew he was loved. In that case the son was wayward to an amazing degree and yet the father did not shun His son. Today we do not shun the weak and those who lose their way. To shun is cruel. It is the identifying trait of an unloving father and Jehovah can never be nasty or cruel. Jehovah ‘Is Love.’ Just like the father in the illustration, Jehovah loves those who have become inactive and confused and wants them to return to him. By showing patience, empathy, and love, we can help them find their way to faith in Jesus.
Patience, empathy, and love are necessary qualities, just as they were for the father who welcomed his repentant son home. Jehovah loves those who were drawn to Him previously. and wants them to return to him, and by imitating his example, we can help them on their journey back. Obviously we do not want them to return to the organized religion that hurt them but instead find their way back to Jehovah Himself. Let us embrace them warmly, assure them of our love, listen to their troubles, and take practical steps to show that they are cherished members of the family. Join with Jehovah in extending a feast of forgiveness and acceptance.
Practice Empathy
As Bible Students and Christians, we can show how real our faith is by practicing empathy. This powerful healing tool can help those who have been hurt by false teachings or injustice. Some inactive Christians may have been struggling with bitter feelings towards someone in the community for years. They may feel unjustly treated and need someone to listen and understand their emotions. Being there for them can make all the difference.
Jehovah’s love for his people is compared to a rope, as described in the Bible. [Hosea 11:4 “ With the ropes of men I kept drawing them, with the cords of love“] Imagine being lost at sea and someone throws you a life vest. While it may provide temporary relief, it’s not enough to survive in the long run. You need someone to throw you a rope and draw you towards safety. Similar to this, God’s love for those who have gone astray is like a cord that pulls them towards him. Even those who have been hurt or abused can return to Jehovah God Himself and can find comfort in knowing that they are loved and welcomed back with open arms. As a community of Bible Students, we can express this love and help bring them to a true knowledge of Jehovah.
If You Have Been Hurt Allow Yourself To Heal
Paul, the apostle, faced numerous challenges that caused anxiety, including the struggles of his brothers and sisters whom he deeply cared for and the opposition he faced from his opponents, who even beat him and imprisoned him. Traveling by boat also caused him anxiety, especially after surviving three shipwrecks. Despite all these, Paul humbly acknowledged his need for comfort and turned to others for support while relying on God’s Word to bring him wisdom and consolation.
When faced with distressing situations or the possibility of death, Paul turned to the Scriptures for comfort and wisdom. As he sat in a Roman prison for the second time, Paul immediately requested “the scrolls” from Timothy, likely portions of the Hebrew Scriptures that he used for personal Bible study. Evidently Paul was a Bible Student and he could continue to draw strength from the written word just as we do today. He would have had access to small portions of scripture and yet this was enough to help him.
We can follow Paul’s example and regularly study God’s Word. By doing so, Jehovah can use the Scriptures to soothe us and provide guidance, no matter what trials we may face. So, rely on God’s Word for comfort and wisdom just like Paul did.