I Never Intended to Quit

by Gus Nichols

A man who had not attended a church service in four years told me he never thought of “quitting” the church. I reminded him that he had already

• withdrawn his presence from its services,
• refused to give his moral support to the activities of the congregation, and
• had withdrawn his financial support, for he had not given one dime to help carry on the Lord’s work.

Then I asked what else you would need to do to “quit” the church? In case you ever decide that you no longer desire to be a member, what other steps will be necessary for you to take? Just what else will be necessary to “quit” the church?

As his true status dawned upon him, his expression reflected his sober thoughts. He replied, “Why, Brother Nichols, I’ve already quit, haven’t I? Well, I surely didn’t mean to! And I don’t know when I did it, but I’ve quit the Lord and His church! I’ll tell you right now: I’m coming back!” He did, too. At the next service, he was restored, and three years later, he was still faithful.

Dear reader, how about you? Have you quit the Lord and His church without resolving to do so? Perhaps no one deliberately decides to quit, while many carelessly drift into backsliding. If you have (1) quit attending services, (2) quit boosting the program of activities planned by the elders, and (3) quit giving as God has prospered you to enable the congregation to meet its budget, you need to be restored.