Suffering From Neglect

Suffering From Neglect

We frequently hear news reports of children and elderly folks who suffer from neglect. There are parents whose children are found to be undernourished. The same thing happens to some old folks. In Africa I saw children, whose parents struggled to provide them two meals a day, the usual fare in that society. Their spindly limbs, enlarged abdomens, their dry skin and brittle hair indicated that they suffered from qwashie okre, or juvenile malnutrition. They had received food but it was not a balanced, healthy diet. It filled their bellies but left them starving for necessary nutrition.

A similar condition is found in many Christians. The difference is, it is their spiritual lives that are malnourished. These victims attend church on a regular basis. Their spiritual leaders feed them, yet their souls are malnourished. It is not a matter of malice or wilful neglect. It is unintended. Their leaders hold no erroneous views. They would not allow their worship to be corrupted by error. They have no desire to turn their flock over to change agents. They preach true sermons, but they never get beyond the milk of the word. The solid food of Christian doctrine is neglected (Heb. 5:13-14).

In such churches, preachers deliver well-prepared sermons on themes such as love, kindness, parenting, marriage enrichment, overcoming depression, overcoming temptation, etc. All of these are excellent themes worthy of consideration. All can be addressed from a scriptural perspective and be helpful. The problem is these are not the lessons add fiber and strength to faith. They are as the husks to the kernel of grain. One can feed on such lessons and become spiritual malnourished. Good intentioned preachers unwittingly contribute to the poor spiritual heath of their flocks. When such undernourished Christians are exposed to the subtle errors of denominational preachers or the enticements of change agents they have neither knowledge, faith nor strength to resist and reject them.

Christians need to know what they believe and why they do so. They need to have ingrained into their hearts the fundamental truths of Christianity. They need lessons warning them of the dangers of false teachers and the false doctrine that can corrupt faith and harm the church. They need lessons that stress the necessity of fidelity to Christ, His Word and His church. Only then will they grow up in all things unto Christ (Eph. 4:15), be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might (Eph. 6:10) and thus be faithful unto death (Rev.2 :10).

Sincerely,

Back -- or go -- Home