Thursday, September 4, 2014

How does God view Backsliders?

Luke 15:4-32 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Let me start off by pointing out what a backslider is. A backslider is a believer who has “returned” to the world system. He has fallen into sin and needs to repent of his or her sin. The backslider is in a dangerous place because of the choice to fall away or not living a surrendered, holy life.

As evidenced by these verses, God loves backsliders. He want us to be saved, delivered, set free. Jesus died for us so that might live with Him in Heaven. We are Jesus’ joint-heirs and backsliders if they don’t repent could lose their salvation and thus, their godly inheritance.

"The devil is a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8) That does not mean that the devil cannot be defeated. In fact, he already is a defeated foe! That also does not mean that God has left us. The backslider is one who leaves God, but there is hope for the backslider. 1 John 9 says that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God knows that there is not one of us who hasn’t sinned, for the previous verse says that we are deceiving ourselves and the "truth is not in us".

If you have backslidden, then all you have to do is come home. Come home to Jesus. God is still merciful and gracious. Jesus is still the same; He has never changed. Come back to Him. If you are a backslider or one who has never even accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please pray this prayer, or say one similar to this one in your own words: “Lord Jesus, I am a sinner in need of a Savior. Forgive me for all of my sins, for I believe that you died on the cross and rose on the third day. I believe that you died for me and for that I am thankful. I confess you as Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. In your name, Jesus, Amen.”

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