Cutting Away the Anchor

I've come across several people who, having once been a professing Christian, have since denied their belief in Christ and become atheists. Looking at this from the opposite perspective--one of confirmed belief and assurance, I have often wondered how they could possibly have made such a decision. I believe, though, that I'm beginning to understand. Here are several possibilities I see:

1. Their "Christianity" was merely a religion, with no actual relationship with God to begin with; therefore, everything they believed was based on head knowledge, rather than spirit knowledge. Understandably, they found their religion to be fruitless and empty and, finally, became disillusioned and left.

2. They were true Christians, but doubts and trials arose and, instead of relying on God to help them through, they succumbed to the world. They felt abandoned by God and faith, so they decided to abandon their faith in God. These people are still under God's grace, but are on a long journey--hopefully, one that will eventually bring them back. These people may indeed be atheists at this time. But even though we may turn our backs on God (free will), God will never turn His back on us once we have given Him the permission to save our souls.

3. Their understanding of God and Jesus was weak to begin with. They ran into some hard times that confused them. They believed some of the lies the world was telling them--such as "A good God wouldn't let anyone go to Hell." They were confronted by provocative-sounding "evidence" from the anti-God community, and eventually decided that there is no true evidence for belief in God.

Here's the problem with all of the above scenarios. Actually, there are several:

1. People tend to believe what they think is appealing, rather than what is proven to be true.

2. People tend to believe what is popular, rather than what is proven to be true.

And, most importantly:

3. Christians are most suseptible to doubt when they refuse to acknowledge or take into consideration the anchor of their faith--the hundreds of fulfilled prophesies about Jesus Christ, His death and His resurrection.

When a Christian decides to no longer be a Christian and becomes an atheist, it may feel very freeing. Suddenly the anchor is gone and you are free to live by your own rules and seek your own interests above all else. But, like a boat on a stormy sea, whenever you place your faith in yourself, you will soon discover how fallible you really are. A popular actor once said, "Christianity is only for weak people." And, yet, this actor had been through multiple divorces and addictions. Who is the weak person? Everyone. We are all weak and we all need the Savior. It simply takes a bit of humilty to admit it.