Cephas Ministry,
I believe the vast exodus of Christians from the faith is the result of many never coming to see that the Christian Life is a difficult life. As you know it can be rightly compared to the difference between the effort it takes to climb a mountain or walk down a hill. The Christian Life requires us to climb.
Many Christians are led to believe it is EASY. Believe on Jesus and you'll be saved? No effort to impart the fact that belief in Him will bring difficulties (in many cases, great difficulties) and while it is the only way man can be saved, it carries with it circumstances that will allow believers to suffer. The thing many believers are led to believe they will escape if they claim the name of Jesus.
Much instruction from His Word is provided regarding FALSE teachings. Let us remember, that those false teachings are reaching the ears of believers. The FALSE teachings would never bother the unbeliever, for he is an unbeliever and is not the least bit interested in whether or not a doctrine is true or false. In fact he will use the constant wars amongst christian denominations to paint the Church in a negative light.
But what is the end for those who believe these false teachings or doctrines? What is the end for those when asked, "Do you believe in God and they answer yes? Do you believe in Jesus and they answer yes. Do you believe the Bible is the Word of God and they answer yes? Yet if you were able to follow these folks around everyday, many are engaged in adulterous relationships. Many engage in pre-marital sex. We see many today who openly admit to homosexual life styles they continue to engage in. Many will say and do things to others that are mean and intended to hurt because they have been hurt by these people. Many will lie if it will make them money or keep them from losing a job? I could go on and on and on. Many live just for material wealth. Many just for the satisfaction of pleasing ones self. All of these will profess to be believers. While we know that those who will not CONFESS the name of Jesus, are judged already and if they die this way, will die lost, but is that not what will happen to those who do not repent? Is that not what will happen to those who buy into FALSE teachings? Is that not what will happen to those of other faiths?
We know God is the judge, but what will He base that judgment on? On what He has provided in His Word for us to know and to do. If we were a liar, lie no more. If a thief, steal no more.
If we now know something is a lie, that we once believed was true say nothing because to say something is offensive and Christians are not to be offensive? Is this what God wants us to do? Say nothing?
If we were raised in a faith that we believed was from God, only to later discover that it taught us to do things that are not consistant with His Word, are we as Christians helping these to make the transistions? We say we love each other and yet do we help those who are suffering thorugh these changes? I could go on and on.

So what we have are people who are leaving the church because they cannot live the life while at the same time we have those staying in the church who are not trying to live the life. At the same time we have the kind and sweet and tender and compassionate and caring unbeliever who spends much of their time doing things to make the lives of others more pleasant. Many of these folks will openly confess belief in God, but will not confes belief in Jesus. Many of them do not use alcohol; are not partiers; are faithful to one mate; treat their neighbor with respect. Do not lie on their tax forms. Are honest individuals who are loving and caring but who will not confess the name of Jesus?
Who is going to tell them it that SALVATION is both conditional AND unconditional?
Or am I the heritic?

Dear One,
Thanks for your encouragement because we are trying hard to get that message across that Salvation is both unconditional and conditional. That is well put.
Faith without works is dead. Jesus wants to be manifested in us and if we do not come in line like a plumbline with the Gospel and allow the Holy Spirit in our hearts to restrain us from sinning and search our hearts for weak spots, and enable us to witness to others that they will have life eternal if they believe and practice what God teaches, we are not truly God's children nor do we have the correct bridal gown when the time comes to wed Jesus Christ.
The true believers are the Bride of Christ and Jesus will not become one with impurity. Our wedding gown has to be His righteousness which means allowing Him total control over our hearts. Total abandonment to His will is what is expected from God.
Jesus Christ deserves that because He allowed His blood to be shed and lost His physical existence but thank God, only for a short duration, because He returned to signify to us that He is alive forever in a glorified body of flesh and bone and that we will likewise follow Him, if we allow Him to justify and sanctify us and quicken us into eternal life.
You are right on and we appreciate your sharing your discovery which is encouraging to us. The climb is tough and God wants us to fellowship and encourage each other to keep on in spite of all obstacles. The prize is the Pearl of Great Price.
May the Holy Spirit continue to witness the truth to your spirit,
In Christ Jesus,
Cephas Ministry