Acts 13:13
Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
Though John eventually came back and was used in the ministry greatly, his departing came at the most inopportune time. John could never take back what he did to God’s work by departing from those he was supposed to help. I wonder how many souls went to Hell because John departed from them at a time when God was working mightily through Barnabas and Paul.
Only eternity will tell of the souls that went to Hell because of believers leaving a church for personal whims or preferences. Throughout the Scriptures, there were many who departed at inopportune times. John departed at a time when God was working mightily through the ministry of which he was a part. Demas forsook Paul when Paul needed someone to stand with him. Phygellus and Hermogenes turned away when they could have been a great help to Paul in getting out the Gospel. Everyone forsook Paul at a time when he was under great persecution and could have used their support. All the disciples left Jesus in His most needy hour. Many walked away from Jesus after He preached a hard sermon. We will never know how much more of an influence the early church could have made had these not departed.
Satan is a master of making believers leave a church at a time when the church is about to do something great for God. Satan will do everything in his power to stop the Gospel from being furthered, and sadly, he has used God’s children to be that hindrance. He has used them by causing them to leave at a time they were needed the most. Let me share a few thoughts about this tragic thought.
First, there is never a good time to depart. Many churches would be filled to overflowing if disgruntled church members had not departed for their “good” reasons. I am amazed at how people leave a church. Texting your pastor that you are leaving without speaking to him is the height of cowardice. If you are so right, why are you unwilling to talk to him face-to-face? You won't talk to him face to face because you know your reason for leaving is not a good reason.
Second, Satan wins and Hell enlarges herself when believers leave a church for the wrong reason. God placed you in that church for a specific reason, and that reason is to reach the lost. When you leave, you leave a hole that nobody can fill, and that hole means souls will not be reached and will go to Hell. There are many people in Hell that could have been reached had that believer not departed and chose to stay and work through their issues.
Third, get over yourself and yield to God. Most people do not leave over doctrinal issues, but they leave over petty and personal issues. This is the height of self-centeredness. We are never to be the issue, and when you leave over pettiness or personal issues, you are setting a habit in your life to leave again. You must realize that you are not the issue; God is! When you get over yourself, you will find that personal issues don't really matter that much.
My friend, be careful about becoming the one who departs. Eternity is of greater importance than our whims, so set your whims aside, ask God to work out the issues, and stay busy in your church reaching the lost so that we don't lose more souls to Hell.
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