|
Are
You a Backslidden Christian?
My heart becomes so heavy laden when I hear a Christian say, “I use to
be a Christian, but I am a backsliding now. I am just not ready to turn
my life completely over to God.”
What could be sadder than to have lost your relationship with God when
you have walked and communed with Him in the light? Remember when you
were baptized and the joy you felt. How could one even desire to return
to darkness for even a moment, once you have tasted the peace, the joy
and grace of Our Heavenly Father?
Remember the situation of ancient Israel. They too were backslidden.
They continually failed to respond to God’s plea to repent. They no
longer wanted to walk in the truth. They preferred to worship idols.
Well you say, “I don’t worship idols.” Do you love the things of
this world more than you love God then you are worshipping an idol. Is
it money or things or even a person or are you doing things you know to
be wrong, then you are worshipping an idol. And what kind of picture
does it give to the world about Christ?
Judgment will come.
Do you not know that continuing in backsliding will bring judgment upon
yourself even as God brought judgment upon Israel? Ask God to restore
you to fellowship with Him, repent of your sins. God loves you with a
love beyond any love you have ever known, but He will not continue to
let His name be defamed. He will not just stand by and let the devil
take you from Him. He will do everything He can to draw you back to
Himself. Remember, the devil wants you too. There is a constant battle
going on for your soul. Christ died a horrible death on the cross to
save you and you once made a commitment to Him. Do you honestly think He
is going to let you go without a fight?
God does have a limit to His patience for the backslider to return and
repent.
Jer 15:6 Thou hast forsaken me, saith the LORD, thou art gone backward:
therefore will I stretch out my hand against thee, and destroy thee; I
am weary with repenting.
Jer 2:17 Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in that thou hast
forsaken the LORD thy God, when he led thee by the way? 19 Thine own
wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee:
know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou
hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith
the Lord GOD of hosts.
Hos 11:7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they
called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
Rev 2:21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she
repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that
commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of
their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the
churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts:
and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
All are affected when God’s judgment comes.
Read the book of Jonah. Jonah the prophet was a backslider and what
happened to him will happen to all backsliders. I can tell you that you
certainly do not want to be around one who God is going after. Jonah
knew God wasn't going to let him get by with his rebellion. Everyone on
that boat was going to be affected. Jonah was running from God. This is
one of the signs of one who is backslidden. Jonah was angry toward the
people of Nineveh. One of the reasons he ran from God in the first place
was because he was prejudice. Jon 4:1 But it displeased Jonah
exceedingly, and he was very angry. Jonah knew he was the cause of the
raging storm and he was thrown into the sea by his own request. Jon 1:12
And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so
shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great
tempest is upon you.
But that was only the beginning. God’s chastisement was three days and
nights in the stomach of a great fish, but Jonah changed both physically
and spiritually at least for the time being.
In Jonah 2:1-9 we see Jonah calling out to the Lord. His prayer brought
him back into a place of obedience to the Lord and God says, Jon 2:10
And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry
land.
Some who have walked away from God become severely depressed and may
even want to die. . Jon 4:3 Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee,
my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
After the revival of Nineveh Jonah again wants to die. Jon 4:8 And it
came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east
wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and
wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die
than to live.
When David sinned in numbering the Israelites The judgment that God sent
fell not only upon him but the Israelites too, 70,000 of them. 2Sa 24:17
And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the
people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these
sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me,
and against my father's house. 15 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon
Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of
the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.
Many times Christians will attack another who has fallen rather than
trying to help them return to the Lord. That in itself shows you of your
own condition. One of first signs of a Christian backsliding is the lack
of concern for others and when they are no longer interested in sharing
the message of Christ and salvation. How many have been turned from God
by these very actions. Primarily it is the responsibility of the pastor
for the spiritual welfare of God's flock but it is also the duty of
every believer to have a burden for the backslidden. So often I hear it
said that we are not our brother’s keeper but the Bible says in Gen
4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said,
I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? We are to bear one another’s
burdens. Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which
are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's
burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. We should exhort one another.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the
manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as
ye see the day approaching. We should pray for our brothers. Jam 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much. Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath
desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed
for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren. Remember that prayer does not replace
confrontation in love. Eze 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn
not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his
iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Jam 5:19 Brethren, if any of
you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he
which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul
from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
There is a time when one must turn the backslidden or lost Christian
completely over to God and disassociate him. When we have tried and
tried and they continue to reject the truth you have spoken into their
lives they are beyond repentance. Jer 6:30 Reprobate silver shall men
call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.
Jer 15:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood
before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of
my sight, and let them go forth. 2 And it shall come to pass, if they
say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them,
Thus saith the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are
for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the
famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.
Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for
sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised
Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how
much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who
hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of
the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath
done despite unto the Spirit of grace? . 38 Now the just shall live
by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in
him.39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but
of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Many have the impression that a Christian can just go on sinning the
same sin over and over and never have to overcome because they joined
the church and were baptized. To me it’s like saying that the Spirit
within us does not have the power to overcome. I heard this in a sermon
in a church that I recently visited. The people were even clapping and
saying AMEN to that this verse didn’t mean what it says. How this
saddens me, because this is misleading to so many. I wonder how God felt
about it. I personally wanted to get sick.
A Christian may say that he believes that Christ died for his sins to
set him free from sin, yet he continues to the very things that Christ
had to die for. Then he claims that he just can’t overcome his sin yet
he makes no genuine effort to even know the Lord in his daily life. He
claims to believe that the resurrected Christ gives victory over sin,
yet he says he simply cannot give up his sin. He may even continue to be
in the world and enjoy all those worldly things. He even admits that he
knows that God’s wrath will come upon all those that follow those
things of the world but he will continue to have the same friends who
pull him down and to do the same things. He even fills his ears, mind
and heart and with everything but the Bible, which is God’s book of
instructions to us.
Jud 1:24 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and
to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with
exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory
and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
When the Christian walks away from God he drives the nails into Christ
afresh.
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;
seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him
to an open shame.
Have you heard it said, “The Christian army is the only army that
kills its wounded?”
Now I am not saying we are to condone this behavior or not to even be
angry. There comes a time when one has rejected your trying to help.
Paul says, 1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company,
if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an
idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an
one no not to eat.
Do not in your helping a brother allow him to bring you down.
Backsliders are good at this. They would rather everyone feel as they do
which is unhappy, depressed and lonely. They are good at pointing out
yours and everyone else’s every little fault and will readily attack
when you when you are down.
Pro 28:10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he
shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good
things in possession. 1Co 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications
corrupt good manners.
We are not to judge those outside the church but we must judge those
who claim to be within.
1Co 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do
not ye judge them that are within?13 But them that are without God
judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh
disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. But
always in mercy. 2Th 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish
him as a brother.
Some claim to be saved because when they were children Mom and Dad took
them to church and they were baptized. They later left the church and
went out into the world and began to live in sin. Is this backsliding?
No I do not believe so. I do not believe they have backslidden nor does
the Bible teach this. These people are lost. This is a completely false
teaching about salvation. Many times the young have no idea what kind of
commitment they have made. It comes from having an emotional experience
and some have even been pressured into it. There was no actual inner or
outward change where the fruits of the spirit began to emerge.
1Jo 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us;
for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but
they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were
not all of us. Notice that this verse speaks of those who leave the
church because they were never of the church. They were never saved.
If had they been saved, they would have not turned from God. Although
those who are saved will still sin, but if they are truly saved they
will not leave the church and God.
One of the excuses I hear most often for not returning to Christ is that
I will do it later or I’m just not ready. God gives each of us a
certain time to serve Him while we are upon this earth. How do we know
when that time will end? Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now
it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation
nearer than when we believed.
Look at this parable in Luke.
Luk 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a
certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within
himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow
my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns,
and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up
for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But
God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required
of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
We never know when our last day will be. You may not have tomorrow to
get right with God so that you can spend an eternity with Him. Would you
rather choose the things of this world for a short time and lose your
very soul, condemned to death and destruction.
The New Century Dictionary (1927) defines backslidden. To fall back in
one’s moral or religious course; relapse into error or sin.
Easton’s Bible dictionary defines: Backslide to draw back or apostatize
in matters of religion (Acts 21:21; 2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1). This may
be either partial (Prov.14:14) or complete (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:38, 39). The
apostasy may be both doctrinal and moral.
The word backsliding is not even used in the New Testament. The word
used in the New Testament is apostasy.
Do you believe you are a backsliding Christian?
How is your prayer life? Do you spend as much time with
the Lord as you would a friend?
Do you spend time in the Word? When was the last time you picked up a
Bible and read it. How many books do you read such as novels or maybe
the romance books? Most of these books may or may not cause you to go
out and sin, but if you are not communing with God from His Word you
will sin. The Christian who neglects the reading God’s word can hardly
expect to grow in the nature and admonition of the Lord."
Do you fear the Lord? You may or may not fear what
others think of you, but do you care what God hears and sees you do. Do
you give the Lord the same reverence that you should to a Holy God? Psa
111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good
understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise
endureth for ever.
Stubbornness is a characteristic of a backslider. 2Ki
17:14 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their
necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in
the LORD their God.
The backslider may even verbally identify himself with the Lord.
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I
say? He can be spiritually blind to his own need. Rev 3:17 Because thou
sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and
blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint
thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Or because they believe
in a false doctrine such as once saved always saved that God will simply
over look their sin. Being a true Christian (Christ like) is not a
one-time trip to the altar followed by baptism, but a day-by-day walk
with Christ. Hos 7:2 And they consider not in their hearts that I
remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have
beset them about; they are before my face.
Many make a profession of faith and believe with full assurance
of their salvation because ministers have told them they are saved. But
look at this warning. This final test of this profession is that he
doeth righteousness (justification) .1Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man
deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He
is righteous.
Do you justify what you do? Even though it is usually a
very gradual process do realize that what you once thought was sin
doesn’t even seem like sin anymore. Some will even take Scripture out
of context in order to prove what is wrong is right.
Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man
shall see the Lord: Do you condone your sin or do you pant for the
righteousness of the Lord. Is your heart content with open disobedience
or do you ask God everyday to change you. You must rely upon the Spirit
to reveal the true state of your heart.
Do you feel any guilt? Have you so blocked out the Holy
Spirit that you no longer even feel a conviction for your sin? Have you
stopped having the desire to be with other Christians and maybe even
become a little bored with spiritual talk? Those who claim Christ, but
yet rarely attend church to worship God and associate with other
believers, are possibly fooling themselves! A backslidden Christian can
stay out of church and away from other believers, but I can guarantee
you from first-hand experience that there will never be a time in the
true Child of God that you will be comfortable with it.
All backsliding begins in the heart and mind. Pro 14:14 The
backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good
man shall be satisfied from himself. 2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any
means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds
should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Col 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain
deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the
world, and not after Christ. But all backsliding will always
become evident outwardly. Tit 1:16 They profess that they know
God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and
unto every good work reprobate. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are
Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If
we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
How do I return to God and have fellowship with Him?
Are you truly happy in the life you have made for yourself? Consider
your condition and remember the joy you felt in the Lord when you were
first saved. Surrender afresh to Him and He is always eager to extend
His grace to you. The longer we are away the more your heart hardens to
the conviction of the Holy Spirit until that still small voice all but
disappears. But, even when we have fallen our Father extends the
invitation, Jer 13:17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in
secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down
with tears. . . Jeremiah 3:22: “Return, O faithless sons, I will
heal your faithlessness.” The Lord mourns for His lost child. God
loves each of His children and it is His greatest desire for you to
return to Him.
After the Christian has walked in the light and has returned to the
things of the world, it is harder for the backslidden Christian to
return to God. This is mostly because of guilt or pride. 2Pe 2:20 For if
after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the
knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled
therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the
beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the
holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto
them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own
vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Notice that God even when His child is in a state of backsliding that He
still calls them His children. Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding
children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take
you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast
left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art
fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place,
except thou repent.
Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that
are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and
repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a
thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
When we sin we can be forgiven. My little children, I am writing these
things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an
Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. I John 2:1
Hosea 14:4 “Come let us return to the Lord, for He has torn us, but He
will heal us; He has wounded us, He has wounded us, but He will bandage
us.”
John 15:5 ‘I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides
in Me, and I in him, he bears fruit; for apart from Me you can
do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a
branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire,
and they are burned.
God is only waiting for you to return. He will run to meet you as the
father of the prodigal son. Sometimes God has to use great circumstances
to get us to return just as He will at one final attempt during the
Trumpets at the time of the Great Tribulation.
He will first struggle with you. Ki 17:15 And they rejected his
statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his
testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity,
and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them,
concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like
them. He will use everything, sickness, financial difficulties, grief,
and loneliness to get us to return. (Ps 107 Rev)
You are going to have to take a good honest look at yourself. No looking
at your image in a cracked mirror. You are first going to have to
acknowledge your state and be willing to have it changed. Compare
where you were when you walked with the Lord to where you are now. 1Jo
3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin (continually
practice sin); for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because
he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the
children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God,
neither he that loveth not his brother.
Remember you are a guilty sinner. Come back to Christ
for He loves you in spite of you turning your back on Him. It is with
His love that He is drawing you back. But remember you have already
known Him. You know His mercy and forgiveness. You are going to have to
repent and accept His will unconditionally.
Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt
find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Jer 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed
against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers
under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto
you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will
bring you to Zion:
The believer must repent. There is a difference between
the righteous and the wicked because even though the believer may sin, he
will not remain in his sin. Pro 24:16 For a just man falleth seven
times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into
mischief. Remember there were many great men of God that fell but they
always returned in repentance.
The Bible continually warns about falling away. Psa 85:8 I will hear
what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people,
and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he
fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to
escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Job 22:23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou
shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
Psa 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my
transgressions.2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever
before me.4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil
in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be
clear when thou judgest.
Isa 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from
before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment,
relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.18 Come
now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like
crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye
shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall
be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Confess
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Realize whether you are backsliding or are you lost. Many are confident
in their salvation because they made a profession of faith. But all
reality that may be all they have. Their daily lives do not reflect
their faithfulness. They make once saved a license for sin. They may say
they are backslidden when in reality that they may have never even
received salvation.
The Lord Himself said, Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will
of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done
many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Child of God whether you are saved, lost or backslidden the choice is
still yours. You can die in your sins and be counted with the wicked or
you can choose Christ and live an eternity with Him. To live with Him
and He to live in Me is my only choice. I know that something happened
in me. I didn’t become perfect but my life was changed. It has brought
me such happiness and fulfillment and I know that it has only just begun
in this life.
Heavenly Father, I pray for all those who have not made that decision.
May it not be too late to reach them. Thank you for loving us enough to
confront us with our own selfish ways. Cleanse me and help me to be a
light to someone today. Help me to share with others how very much You
love each of us, enough to have died for us. Give us the realization
that we are utterly helpless unless we can completely be committed to
You lest we will fall. Amen
Home
| Articles | About
Us
Donate to GoBeDo Ministries
|
Inclusion
does not
indicate
endorsement
|
