BACKSLIDING
Backsliding is returning to your former way of life before you became born again and have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior. Instead of moving forward in the grace of God and the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, the born again person slowly and almost imperceptibly backslides little by little to become hardened of heart and a disgraced follower of Christ. The backslider may not be noticeable on the outside. He may still be attending church services and fellowships with other Christians, but deep inside, he is wallowing in hidden pleasures and sin. The process of backsliding is not immediate and sudden. It may start with small sins that he readily confesses to God until sinning becomes too frequent and enjoyable that he becomes enslaved by it again. Because of resurgent pride, sins may remain unconfessed and a hardening of the heart will follow. At first, he will feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit. But repeated disregard of this conviction and the still small voice will result in the hardening of the heart and the stifling of the conscience until he no longer hears nor feels any conviction from the Holy Spirit. Yes, God promised that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39) but He will not stop a person from deserting Him. Judas was the classic example of a backslider. Chosen as one of the elite apostles of Jesus Christ and ordained with power and grace from on high, he let his conscience be stifled by little sins of stealing money from the common fund of the group until he was finally enslaved by sin and Satan entered into him. That led to his betrayal of Jesus Christ to his enemies for thirty pieces of silver. He died tormented because of his sins but did not ask forgiveness from the Lord nor repented. The devil (his accuser) taunted him to end his life which he willingly did. If Judas was the classic example of a backslider, Peter was the classic example of a reformed sinner who rose from the ashes of denying Jesus Christ before men, to asking and receiving forgiveness from Jesus Christ and leading the early Christians before attaining his self desired martyrdom for the Lord. Be careful if you have already gained eternal life by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior. The devil is like a roaring lion that wants to devour you. Your little and unnoticed sins may lead you back to the path of destruction and eternal death.
Tags: God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Backsliding, Backsliders, Hidden Sins, Disgraced Christians, Hardening of The Heart, Stifling of Conscience, Hidden Pleasures, Judas, Peter, Path of Destruction, Eternal Death, Grace, Repentance, Return to The Fold of Christ, Jesus Is The Rock, Gospel, Word of God, Holy Bible
Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Spiritual/Inspirational/Motivational
