| LESSON
145
SORROW OF A BACKSLIDER- PART 3
INTRODUCTION:
In the second part of this series, we discovered that
backsliding is not merely ceasing to follow Jesus Christ.
Changing a Christian decision, condoning sin, remembering
old glories, resting on oars, being unprogressive, loss
of enthusiasm and failure to make disciples are all
cases of backsliding. We also discovered that causes
of backsliding include disappointment by Christian's
elders, satanic deceit, pride of achievement, evil association,
comfort arising from worldly success, wrong spiritual
leadership and severe trials. In this study, we want
to consider the sorrows of a backslider, how to cure
backsliding and how to prevent it. May the Lord quicken
our understanding as we study at His feet in Jesus Name.
Amen.
1.
THE SORROWS OF A BACKSLIDER
ARE MANY AND VARIED
A backslider has many problems to contend with. Some
of these problems are (a) a deep feeling of emptiness
(b) Severe loneliness (c) Misery (d) Anxiety (e) Poverty
spiritual as well as physical (f) Sickness (g) Inability
to approach God and (h) inability to witness due to
guilty conscience. This is so because when a backslider
loses the only genuine friend in the world, he will
quickly realize that there is no substitute for Christ
anywhere.
Ps. 22:1,-Is. 59:1-2; Ps. 142:4; Luke 15:16; Pr. 14:15;
Rom. 2:9; Ps. 51:8, 12; Is. 59:8; Amos 8:11; Jer. 5:4:Deut.
28:15-58; Ps. 51:11; 51:12-15.
2.
PREVENTION IS BETTER
THAN CURE
If you are a backslider and you want full restoration,
you must first of all allocate where you went wrong,
repent and restitute your ways. Then you can stall all
over again. But surely it is better never to backslide
even once. To prevent backsliding, you must be willing
to lose your life in order to find it. The steps you
are to take constantly include (i) Mortification of
the flesh (ii) crucifixion of affections (iii) consecration
of all you consider as gain (iv) separation from earthly
ties and (v) living a life of absolute surrender.
Eze. 18:31; Rev. 2:5; John 3:30; Matt. 10:39; II Cor.
4:11; Gal. 2;20; John 12:24; Rom 8:13; Phil. 3:7-8,
Luke 14:26; Rom. 12:1; Act. 1:8.
|
