There were many additional phases that I went through, which were all fueled by my own selfishness and forgetfulness of Jesus' unending beauty. Does any of this sound familiar to you?

Sidetracked?

I want to personally encourage you to not grow weary and throw in the towel on proactive evangelism (Gal. 6:9). The Christian walk is not easy, but Jesus never promised that it would be. In fact, Jesus, who lived a morally perfect life, suffered a humiliating beating and excruciating crucifixion, absorbing the full wrath of God for our sins, all the while never retaliating (even though He had the power to do so), said to us "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matt. 16:24-25). This same Jesus also rose from the dead, defeated death and made a way for us to be forgiven for all of our sins, even our inconsistencies as a believer, so that we can have eternal life with Him in Heaven, through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. What an amazingly gracious God we have to serve!

These Christian phases that I went through and the Christian phases that I will go through are nothing compared to the tribulation and trials of persecution that Jesus, His apostles, early disciples, and disciples in persecuted nations today experience and endure. However, they were trials for me nonetheless, and these same trials have been some of the same reasons why many Christians grow lukewarm or walk away from the faith they once professed.

"And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended" (Mark 4:16-17).

Friend, I want to let you know that I understand the struggle, but keep pressing on. Don’t allow the allure of this world to blind you to the goodness of Christ. What in this shallow world is worth your soul and the joy of an eternal relationship with God, who made you (Matt. 16:26)?

If you have grown lukewarm or altogether turned your back on the love of Jesus, I earnestly encourage you to come to Him in repentance and faith. If you are a believer, I encourage you to stay busy laboring for the Lord. Staying busy for Jesus is one of the actions that has kept me focused through the often difficult phases of Christian life. I’m certainly no better than the next Christian, but besides growing in my knowledge of Him through His Word and the application of it, I can definitely trace my stability in Him back to my consistency in physically working for Him in expanding the Kingdom of God through evangelism.

Often Neglected 

Besides the great importance of growing in your understanding of the Lord through God’s Word and living it out, here are some tips that I have found often neglected, but very helpful in remaining faithful to Jesus throughout the phases of Christian life:

• Become a member of a local church, make yourself known to the leadership (accountability), and consistently labor – Don’t just attend church and learn. Allow your leadership to know you personally, hold you accountable to your growth and to your word, and put you to consistent work in your local church... and love and appreciate them (James 5:16, Heb. 10:24-25, Heb. 13:17)!
• Stop being offended at Christians in the Body of Christ – Just face reality: Christians make mistakes (i.e. you and me). The #1 reason people grow lukewarm or walk away from the faith they once professed, in my own personal experience, has been the childish reason of offense – that feeling that you have been wronged or treated unfairly. Many times, it’s just a matter of you humbly confronting someone with your offense and having a heart-to-heart about how you feel and then forgiving and moving on – that’s the most neglected part. It’s about being mature and not sitting in a corner brooding somewhere over something that simply needs to be addressed upfront. Many times, it’s just a misunderstanding coupled with pride – a toxic mix, and the enemy’s delightful tool to cause division, disunity, and abandonment of one’s call (John 17:20-23, Eph. 4:1-6, Psalm 133:1).
• Evangelize – When you do not share the gospel with others, or tip toe around it and share a lukewarm message, and you don’t see people coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through your personal witness or ministry, what differentiates you from the person who simply does good deeds all in the name of “god”? Agnostics, people from false religions, and even atheists feed and clothe the poor, put on great performances, and promote kindness, but they don’t have the ability or desire to tell the world the true, saving gospel – the specific message about how Jesus died for our sins, defeated death and rose from the grave, so that through repentance and faith in Him, people can receive eternal life. But, you have that ability… and that duty (Matthew 28:18-20). Good deeds are a natural fruit of salvation, but don’t hide behind them, while making evangelism “that thing you used to do”.

So, is there anything that God has called you to do that you have not been doing? I encourage you to do as Jesus said and “go” (Mark 16:15). You can make it through these Christian phases. In fact, you can do more than just “make it”; you can grow deeper in love with Jesus as you go through your various, promised trials and testing in Christ.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:2-5).

We’re not perfect, but through Christ, we’re repentant. So, let's  keep it moving forward, team. Do not grow weary of obeying our Lord's command to seek and save the lost today, tomorrow, and for years to come… He is worthy of our service and endurance.

"Cast not away therefore you confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise" (Hebrews 10:35-36).