​The Modern Church has, for decades, been declining in attendance, membership, enthusiasm, renewal, holiness, and righteousness. But it keeps going – as it should. As Paul said, “however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained” (Philippians 3:16). 

But then he immediately warns, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things” (Philippians 3:17-19). Christians fell away as enemies back then, and they continue to even now. 

​The church is enduring serious “deconstruction” ideas that target what church means and faith means. Many argue that the Reformation was a time of deconstruction-reconstruction, but even Martin Luther never wanted to usurp the authority of the Catholic Church but simply point it towards “saving faith.” And Jesus never sought to usurp the Pharisees, Sadducees, Lawyers, and Scribes but pointed to Himself as the true way (while warning that their ways were not His ways) (Matthew 23). Jesus, however, warns the church and every Christian that their faith in Him will be proven out by their lives and then, by His judgment, deconstructed or reconstructed for eternity. The New Testament is saturated with His warnings of the “rock or the sand” in living out His Sermon on the Mount, of being a sheep or a goat, of having bought oil or not, of “I never knew you,” of persevering and enduring to the end, and of the need to carry a cross and of losing one’s life to gain it in Him. He doesn’t just command but warns of His conditions in forgiving others, showing mercy to others, confessing Him to others, not judging others, and of the standard of measure we give to others. He will ultimately “deconstruct or reconstruct” each person’s faith in, “they will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment” (John 5:29). 

​The church will not and should not go away, but saving faith and “a personal relationship” with Jesus are not in church doctrines but in “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2a), and “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17), and “You are My friends if you do what I command you” (John 15:14).