Why Are Many Churches Declining?

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matthew 22:27).

Have Christians followed God's commandments? Do we love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds? How much thought do most Christians really give God. Is the bulk of their Bible study, prayer, and spiritual thought reserved for Sunday mornings, if they manage to make it to church that week? When we haven't been very committed, how can we expect our children or grandchildren to be? Don't fail your future generations. The Bible admonishes us over and over again to teach our children to love and serve God. That's the most important thing we can teach them! But we have to show them by example.

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself (Matthew 22:39 b).

Have we loved others as much as we love ourselves? If we love God the way we should, His great love will overflow from our lives and we will love even the unlovable because of God's love in us. This is one of the works of the Holy Spirit, but we must choose to allow it to happen. As Peter said, "Love covers a multitude of sins."  
And above all things have fervent love among yourselves; for love shall cover the multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Have we fulfilled the Great Commission Jesus gave us and focused our life on being His disciples and witnessing to the world? We can do this wherever we are - wherever He sends us. Too many haven't even done a good job of this within their own families and neighborhoods. As Christians, we need to realize we are His, and nothing in this world can compare to serving Him according to His will. He's made His will very clear to us. How obedient are we?

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (Matthew 28:19).

If we would get these three greatest commandments right and give God total control of our lives and our churches, the pews would be overflowing. Have you done your part? Will you? With God, it's never too late as long as we live. We serve a God who will give us as many chances as we need. America desperately needs the kind of Christianity Christ demonstrated.

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