Each of us is in danger of falling away from our "sincere and complete devotion to Christ" (2 Cor 11:3). Even whole churches can fall away from their love for Christ (see Gal 1:6; Mt 24:12). The majority of Christians will apostasize before Jesus comes a final time (2 Thes 2:3). When Jesus returns, will He find any faith on the earth? (Lk 18:8) "For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!" (1 Cor 10:12)

"There is One Who can protect you from a fall and make you stand unblemished and exultant in the presence of His glory. Glory be to this only God our Savior" (Jude 24-25). Only by God's grace will we be protected from the deceit of Satan, the father of lies (Jn 8:44), who "is prowling like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Pt 5:8). We must resist temptation by growing strong in our "holy faith through prayer in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). If we fall into sin, we should repent and go to Confession as soon as possible. The Lord commands: "Submit to God; resist the devil and he will take flight. Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you backsliders" (Jas 4:7-8).

We can remain faithful to the Lord no matter what Satan does and no matter how many fall (see Ps 91:7). Repent, confess, grow strong, stand firm in your faith.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, November 29, 1995

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 4, 1995