Vol. 5, No. 18 July 09, 2006

Troubled Christians

Written By

Christopher Mentzer

About a week ago I received an e-mail from my “friend” Ryan Hoover who lives with his family in Mentor, OH. He shared some news of his family and then discussed some things with the local congregation.

RYAN: …and around the beginning of June, Josh, an eighteen-year-old brother in Christ who had been absent for about six months, showed up for morning services. The first one to lay eyes on him was Edna, a sister who (how shall I say it?), puts the “spotlight” on herself whenever the occasion arises. Edna walked up to Josh and, in a rather loud voice say, “Look what the cat dragged in!” Of course all eyes turned to see Josh enter and he did seem a little embarrassed at first but I could tell her words cut him rather deep. A few of the brethren “pushed past” Edna and greeted Josh with open arms. Edna, seeming defeated, went elsewhere.

Well after services I went over to speak to Josh. He didn’t answer the invitation and he told me he knew that he should but that having heard Edna’s comment made him unsure of what to do. He expected such a comment when he entered but didn’t think anyone would actually say it. I encouraged him to forget it and do what God would have him do and that, of course was repent.

That evening, before services began, Josh did the right thing and repented of his ways. He simply stated he was running with the wrong crowd and that it led him away from God. He wanted to do what was right and make amends with both God and the congregation. Unfortunately, that was the last I saw of Josh. I stopped by his house a few times but he seemed conveniently absent. I can understand his problem.

I thought on this for a few days and then replied back:

CHRIS: That’s quite a story, Ryan. It’s not new either. Many times teenagers are the troubled Christians more than those who’ve been in the faith a long time. Peer pressure from friends and family take a big step in one’s life at this stage. In the scriptures Paul wrote a couple letters to Timothy and in the first one he mentions two wayward Christians, Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Tim. 1: 20). In Paul’s second letter, you will find the name of Hymenaeus again but, this time, in the company of a man named Philetus (2 Tim. 2:17). By this account you might guess that Alexander repented and returned to the Lord whereas Hymenaeus continued his ways joining with another.

I would suggest you continue to try and contact Josh. Maybe go by his work or talk to some of his friends. Remind him of Eccl. 12: 1 which states, “Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.” Since he hasn’t been back since his repentance, it may be possible that his repentance wasn’t genuine. He may have done it to be left alone by the congregation. Paul writes, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, `a repentance' which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” (2 Cor. 7: 10) Either way you should continue to try.

Here was his next response:

RYAN: I never considered his repentance might have been a show. I always thought one who came forward was actually sorry for what he has done. I will keep trying though, thanks!