Post by pitbull on Nov 14, 2005 8:10:34 GMT -5
Have you ever heard of the term “backslidden” before? You may have read the term in the Bible [such as Hosea 14:4]. You may have heard a preacher touch on it in a message. But you still may not have any idea what a backslider looks or acts like. First, the Bible teaches that there are three kinds of people. [1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4]
1. The Natural Person is unsaved and headed to Hell; he or she doesn’t understand the Bible or spiritual matters in general; and he or she is spiritually blind.
2. The Spiritual Person is eternally saved, is able to discern spiritual matters, and is growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)
3. The Carnal Person is saved, but is still an infant in Christ; is unable to understand the Bible and wants to be “spoon feed” by the pastor; is characterized by envying, strife, and causing divisions among people – selfish like a baby; lives like the unsaved; and is a follower of a person rather than a follower of Christ. This person is also called a “babe in Christ”.
These “carnal believers” are backslidden believers. They are saved and on their way to Heaven, but they live and act like the unsaved world around them. To the outside eyes, there is no apparent difference between them and the lost. You may even question their salvation.
Lot is a perfect example of an Old Testament backslider. (Proverbs 14:14; 2 Peter 2:6-8)
1. Lot walked by sight, rather than by faith. (Genesis 13:10)
2. Lot made decisions without praying. (Genesis 13:11)
3. Lot was comfortable around worldly and wicked people. (Genesis 13:12; 19:1)
4. Lot was a continual burden to God’s man, namely Abraham. (Genesis 14:11-16)
5. Lot sought to honor men rather than God. (Genesis 19:1)
6. Lot had experienced a compromise in moral standards. (Genesis 19:8)
7. Lot’s testimony was not taken seriously. (Genesis 19:14)
8. Lot was not trying to win souls; he had won none outside his family. (Genesis 19:15; 18:32)
If you can put your name as a substitute for Lot in more than one of these, you are a backslidden believer.
Peter can be used as a perfect New Testament example of what a backslidden Christian looks like. Look at the example he set in John 21, which is after the resurrection of the Lord.
1. Peter went back to his old lifestyle. (John 21:3)
2. Peter had no results for the Lord. (John 21:5)
3. Peter did not recognize the Lord working in His life. (John 21:4)
4. Peter did not care about others seeing him sin. (John 21:7)
5 Peter’s backsliding affected the lives of others. (John 21:3)
If you can put your name as a substitute for Peter in more than one of these, you are a backslidden believer.
Now take a look at your life. Did you fit the description for a backslidden believer? If so, ask yourself why you choose to be in a backslidden state. That is right – you chose to be there. Satan and the world cannot force you to do anything – you must yield [or surrender] yourself to the temptation placed in front of you. [Romans 6:6-18] You can also choose to live for the Lord.
Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” [Matthew 7:16a] Do you see “fruit” or evidence of salvation in your life? Here are ten questions to ask yourself to see if you are truly saved:
1. Submissive Respect – Do you have an honest and humble opinion of yourself as a sinner saved by grace? [1 John 1:8; Romans 7:18; Galatians 2:20]
2. Scripture Obedience – Are you living in obedience to the Bible’s commandments? [1 John 2:5; John 14:15, 21, 23]
3. Societal Rejection – Are you practicing Biblical separation when it comes to worldliness? [1 John 2:15; Romans 12:2; James 4:4]
4. Steadfast Faithfulness – Are you faithful to attending every church services that your health and employment doesn’t restrict you from? [1 John 2:19; Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 10:24-25]
5. Second Coming Anticipation – Does the thought of the Rapture give hope, joy, and comfort to your heart? [1 John 3:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:18]
6. Sin Sensitivity – Are you someone who is uncomfortable around sin and sinful practices because of Holy Ghost conviction? [1 John 3:9; Hebrews 12:5-8]
7. Sibling Love – Do you demonstrate genuine love [not just feelings] for other Christians? [1 John 3:14; John 13:34-35]
8. Supplications Answered – Is God answering your prayers on a regular basis? [1 John 3:22; Mathew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10; John 15:7] The only prayer God will honor for a lost sinner is the humble and penitent prayer of salvation. [Matthew 14:30; Luke 18:13-14]
9. Sharp Discernment – Are you able to perceive and distinguish spiritual matters to protect yourself? [1 John 4:1; Proverbs 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22]
10. Spirit Awareness – Do you recognize the Holy Spirit indwelling and guiding you? [1 John 4:13; John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Romans 8:16]
Do you see these “fruits of salvation” or evidences in your life? If you cannot honestly answer, “yes” to the majority of these questions, I would be very concerned about your salvation.
Isn’t it sad how many professing believers have not motivation to live holy? As we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, maybe His suffering for you will help to urge or spur you on to repent and get right with the Lord. That is the moral behind the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. Also, read how many time that Christ called churches to repentance in the second and third chapters of Revelation. Notice that 1 John 2:1 was written to believers and it uses the word “if” not “when” for referring to a believer sinning. After all that He did for you and is doing for you, is it too much for the Lord to ask you to live a holy and separated life for Him? Obey 1 John 1:9 and start living for Christ today! Choose to be holy, not backslidden!
If you make the wrong choice, do not be surprised when the chastening of the Lord comes upon you. [Hebrews 12:5-11] And if the chastisement doesn’t come, I would be checking to see if maybe you are still lost [a.k.a. not saved, not a Christian] rather than backslidden. Maybe you never got saved and need to repent right now!
1. The Natural Person is unsaved and headed to Hell; he or she doesn’t understand the Bible or spiritual matters in general; and he or she is spiritually blind.
2. The Spiritual Person is eternally saved, is able to discern spiritual matters, and is growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:18)
3. The Carnal Person is saved, but is still an infant in Christ; is unable to understand the Bible and wants to be “spoon feed” by the pastor; is characterized by envying, strife, and causing divisions among people – selfish like a baby; lives like the unsaved; and is a follower of a person rather than a follower of Christ. This person is also called a “babe in Christ”.
These “carnal believers” are backslidden believers. They are saved and on their way to Heaven, but they live and act like the unsaved world around them. To the outside eyes, there is no apparent difference between them and the lost. You may even question their salvation.
Lot is a perfect example of an Old Testament backslider. (Proverbs 14:14; 2 Peter 2:6-8)
1. Lot walked by sight, rather than by faith. (Genesis 13:10)
2. Lot made decisions without praying. (Genesis 13:11)
3. Lot was comfortable around worldly and wicked people. (Genesis 13:12; 19:1)
4. Lot was a continual burden to God’s man, namely Abraham. (Genesis 14:11-16)
5. Lot sought to honor men rather than God. (Genesis 19:1)
6. Lot had experienced a compromise in moral standards. (Genesis 19:8)
7. Lot’s testimony was not taken seriously. (Genesis 19:14)
8. Lot was not trying to win souls; he had won none outside his family. (Genesis 19:15; 18:32)
If you can put your name as a substitute for Lot in more than one of these, you are a backslidden believer.
Peter can be used as a perfect New Testament example of what a backslidden Christian looks like. Look at the example he set in John 21, which is after the resurrection of the Lord.
1. Peter went back to his old lifestyle. (John 21:3)
2. Peter had no results for the Lord. (John 21:5)
3. Peter did not recognize the Lord working in His life. (John 21:4)
4. Peter did not care about others seeing him sin. (John 21:7)
5 Peter’s backsliding affected the lives of others. (John 21:3)
If you can put your name as a substitute for Peter in more than one of these, you are a backslidden believer.
Now take a look at your life. Did you fit the description for a backslidden believer? If so, ask yourself why you choose to be in a backslidden state. That is right – you chose to be there. Satan and the world cannot force you to do anything – you must yield [or surrender] yourself to the temptation placed in front of you. [Romans 6:6-18] You can also choose to live for the Lord.
Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” [Matthew 7:16a] Do you see “fruit” or evidence of salvation in your life? Here are ten questions to ask yourself to see if you are truly saved:
1. Submissive Respect – Do you have an honest and humble opinion of yourself as a sinner saved by grace? [1 John 1:8; Romans 7:18; Galatians 2:20]
2. Scripture Obedience – Are you living in obedience to the Bible’s commandments? [1 John 2:5; John 14:15, 21, 23]
3. Societal Rejection – Are you practicing Biblical separation when it comes to worldliness? [1 John 2:15; Romans 12:2; James 4:4]
4. Steadfast Faithfulness – Are you faithful to attending every church services that your health and employment doesn’t restrict you from? [1 John 2:19; Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 10:24-25]
5. Second Coming Anticipation – Does the thought of the Rapture give hope, joy, and comfort to your heart? [1 John 3:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:18]
6. Sin Sensitivity – Are you someone who is uncomfortable around sin and sinful practices because of Holy Ghost conviction? [1 John 3:9; Hebrews 12:5-8]
7. Sibling Love – Do you demonstrate genuine love [not just feelings] for other Christians? [1 John 3:14; John 13:34-35]
8. Supplications Answered – Is God answering your prayers on a regular basis? [1 John 3:22; Mathew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10; John 15:7] The only prayer God will honor for a lost sinner is the humble and penitent prayer of salvation. [Matthew 14:30; Luke 18:13-14]
9. Sharp Discernment – Are you able to perceive and distinguish spiritual matters to protect yourself? [1 John 4:1; Proverbs 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22]
10. Spirit Awareness – Do you recognize the Holy Spirit indwelling and guiding you? [1 John 4:13; John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Romans 8:16]
Do you see these “fruits of salvation” or evidences in your life? If you cannot honestly answer, “yes” to the majority of these questions, I would be very concerned about your salvation.
Isn’t it sad how many professing believers have not motivation to live holy? As we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, maybe His suffering for you will help to urge or spur you on to repent and get right with the Lord. That is the moral behind the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. Also, read how many time that Christ called churches to repentance in the second and third chapters of Revelation. Notice that 1 John 2:1 was written to believers and it uses the word “if” not “when” for referring to a believer sinning. After all that He did for you and is doing for you, is it too much for the Lord to ask you to live a holy and separated life for Him? Obey 1 John 1:9 and start living for Christ today! Choose to be holy, not backslidden!
If you make the wrong choice, do not be surprised when the chastening of the Lord comes upon you. [Hebrews 12:5-11] And if the chastisement doesn’t come, I would be checking to see if maybe you are still lost [a.k.a. not saved, not a Christian] rather than backslidden. Maybe you never got saved and need to repent right now!