Monday 26 September 2016

Dangers of Backsliding

Scripture:  1 Peter 2 v 20 - 21: "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.  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."

Our God has infinite mercy but He cannot override our free will.  Life is all about choices, and sticking with commitments.  We make marriage vows before God in what is called Holy Matrimony.  Those vows are sacred before God, yet so many are treated very lightly.

When we break our commitments to Jesus there are always consequences to consider.  When you backslide it means you reject your salvation and its benefits, for the pleasures of the world.  And God says it would be better for you if you had never known Jesus, rather than to reject Him.

The reason is that you lose a host of unseen and unknown blessings like forgiveness of sin.  This makes you extremely vulnerable to the temptations of the Devil, and his evil designs upon you.  He works on seeming disappointments that you blame God for, to break your faith and promote unbelief.

Unbelief is a sin in which you choose not to believe God, and this causes you to turn away from Jesus, and to follow your own will.  The Holy Spirit will continue to minister to you until the day comes when He no longer chooses to strive against sin, and your hardened heart.  This is the time of your greatest danger as there is no longer any restraint and you feel the freedom to do your own thing.

The trouble is that we are always and only responding to either God or Satan in what we choose to do, and only God loves you and has your best interests at heart.  Your enemy is Satan who has sworn to destroy you...he is the father of lies and the most successful conman of all.

His aim is to separate you from God the Father, and Jesus, either by stopping you ever getting born again, or stealing your joy once you are saved.  Every human on Earth who is not living an abundant Christian life, is being deceived by Satan the destroyer.  Whether in false religions or as a backslider, he gloats over you constantly and flaunts you in the Father's face.

So beloved of God, if you have strayed, are you aware of the very real consequences?  Is that what you really want for you and your family?  To be Satan's
plaything, to be tormented and eventually destroyed?  Or are you willing to repent of your folly and slide back to Jesus?

Prayer: Father God, forgive me my backsliding and the hurt I have caused You, and Jesus.  Forgive my arrogance and sin that cause me to be independent of Your authority and guidance.  Wash me in the Blood of the Lamb and restore my name to the Book of Life. Revive my heart in the joy of Your salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen.