Backsliding & Apostasy

Again, When a righteous [man] does turn from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at your hand (Ezekiel 3:20) [Emphasis Mine];

Seek you the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon Him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7);

[The Lord is Speaking:]  If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).  [Emphasis Added]

This is the final blog of a series that deals with the serious matter of overt and covert SIN in the Church, which grieves, quenches and vexes the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).  Today’s blog specifically targets Backsliders and Apostates.

BACKSLIDING DEFINED

Merriam-Webster’s Definition: to lapse morally or in the practice of religion; to revert to a worse condition.  This may be either partial or complete.  From a Christian’s perspective, however, it has a deeper spiritual connotation.  It means to lose fellowship with God, to grow cold and indifferent, or to even fall away into apostasy.  (Apostasy may be both doctrinal and moral.)

The term backslide means to regress backwards rather than remain steadfast in the faith.  A backslider is any Believer who, having once experienced the spiritual rebirth, demonstrates the following signs of a backslidden condition:

Prayer has ceased to be a vital part of his life;

Biblical knowledge possessed or being acquired is not being applied inwardly;

Earnest thoughts about eternal things have ceased to be regular and gripping;

The services of his church are routine and boring;

Politically-correct spiritual discussions have become off limits and a source of embarrassment;

Sports, recreation, and entertainment have become a large and necessary part of his lifestyle.  (Christians are not saved to play but to serve);

Sins of the body and of the mind can be indulged in without his conscience being convicted;

Aspirations for Christ-like holiness cease to be dominant in his life and thinking;

The acquisition of money and goods has become a major part of his thinking;

He can mouth religious songs and words without heart;

He can hear the Lord’s name taken in vain, spiritual concerns mocked, and eternal issues flippantly treated, and not be moved to indignation and action;

He can watch degrading movies and television and read morally-debilitating literature;

Breaches of peace in the brotherhood are of no concern to him. (The unity of the Body of Christ is a matter of great concern to Jesus Christ);

The slightest excuse seems sufficient to keep him from spiritual duty and opportunity;

He has become content with his lack of spiritual power and no longer seeks repeated infillings of power from on high;

He condones or pardons his own sin and laziness by saying God understands;

There is no music in his soul and no song in his heart;

He has adjusted happily to the lifestyle of the world;

Injustice and human misery exist around him and he does little or nothing to relieve the suffering;

His own church has fallen into spiritual decline and the Word of God is no longer preached there with power, and yet he is content;

The spiritual condition of the world declines all around him and he cannot perceive it;

He is willing to cheat his employer;

He finds himself rich in grace and mercy and marvels at his own godlikeness.  To the contrary, every true Christian is marked by spiritual humility;

His tears are dried up and the hard, cold spiritual facts of his own existence cannot induce them.  If his prayerlessness does not cause tears to flow, is he not being confronted with the evidence of his backsliding?  If his own personal sin does not provoke him to tears, is he not faced with the hardness of his heart?

He is committing idolatry.  An idol is a person or a thing that a Believer loves more than God.  Some examples of idols are “self;” a spouse, sweetheart or family member; watching T.V.; working on the computer (unless it is a tool for doing the Lord’s work); a movie matinee idol; a rock music star; a favorite hobby, sport, pastime or habit; money; material things; greed; gluttony; job or career; church denomination; political party, a religious icon or deity, etc.;

He does not delight in the Bible more than any other book;

He enjoys gossiping, slandering and sowing discord among the brethren;

He enjoys spending a lot of time in the company of ungodly people and is influenced by them;

He has reverted to being carnally-minded, fleshly and worldly;

He has left his “first love,” Jesus Christ.  His spiritual zeal has become lukewarm or waxed cold.  The ardor of his passion for the things of God has abated.  He may publicly “keep up appearances” as all hypocrites do by attending church, even honoring the Lord with lip service, but his heart is far from Him;

He has little or no desire to attend church and often neglects fellowshipping with other saints;

He has little or no desire to spend quality “alone time” communing with God, in prayer, in Bible study and in intimate praise and worship;

He is unable to forgive offenses committed against him;

He lacks a prayer burden for unsaved sinners, for the state of The Church, the world, his country, state, county, city and community;

He prays infrequently or not at all.  He no longer enjoys the spirit of prayer.  When he does pray, his prayers are long (or short), mechanical and repetitious.

He sins frequently and willfully without feeling remorse, regret or penitent;

BIBLICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF BACKSLIDING

Becoming a Dead Branch (John 15:6)
Becoming a dog that returns to its vomit (2 Peter 2:22)

Becoming Lazy (Hebrews 6:10-12)

Becoming Slaves to Sin (2 Peter 2:19)

Being Asleep (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

Being Complacent (Proverbs 1:32)

Being Lukewarm (Revelation 3:16)

Being Taken Captive by Satan (2 Timothy 2:25-26)

Being Taken Captive through Hollow and Deceptive Philosophy (Colossians 2:8)

Building a House Without a Firm Foundation (Matthew 7:26-27)

Forgetting God (Deuteronomy 8:19)

Forsaking Your First Love (Revelation 2:4-5)

Grass Without Water (Job 8:11-13

Heart Turning Away From God (1 Kings 11:9-10)

Salt Losing Its Saltiness (Matthew 5:13)

Seed Sown Among Thorns (Mark 4:18-19

Serving Two Masters (Luke 16:13

Turning to Evil (Psalm 125:4-5)

Turning to Follow Satan (1 Timothy 5:15)

Turning Away From the Gospel (Galatians 1:6-7)

Wandering From The Faith (1 Timothy 6:10; 2 Peter 2:15)

DEGREES OF BACKSLIDING

SINS OF THE FLESH—A Believer is drawn away by his own lust and is enticed to sin (sexual immorality, drunkenness, murder, hatred, strife, witchcraft, envy, etc.)  (Galatians 5:19-21; James 1:14-15);

SINS OF THE SPIRIT—A Believer becomes spiritually lukewarm, cold or indifferent toward his responsibility or commitment before God and the Church (forsaking church attendance, neglecting salvation, prayer and Bible study, etc.)  (Galatians 5:19-21; Hebrews 2:3; 10:25; Revelation 3:16);

APOSTASY—A Believer falls away because he consciously rejects God and Truth as it is revealed in God’s Word and in His Son.  In this state, he will speak against God and everything that God loves, including the Church (Romans 1:25; 2 Timothy 4:3).

CONSEQUENCES OF BACKSLIDING

Absence of spiritual leaders (Exodus 32:1,8; 1 Samuel 15:11)

Bondage and captivity (Jeremiah 5:19; John 8:34; Galatians 4:9)

Death (Ezekiel 18:24; Romans 6:23)

Demonic influence and control becomes stronger (Matthew 12:45; 2 Peter 2:20-22)

Destruction (Deuteronomy 28:20)

Dispersion (Hosea 9:17)

Divine displeasure (Hebrews 10:38; 2 Peter 2:20)

Emptiness of life (Matthew 12:43-45; Luke 11:24-26)

Forsaken by God (2 Chronicles 15:2)

Hell-bound (Psalms 9:17)

Lack of spiritual insight (John 6:63-64,66; 1 Timothy 5:15)

Loss of God’s protective providence (Judges 10:13)

Misery (Jeremiah 2:19)

Religious indifference (Matthew 24:12)

Selfish absorption (Proverbs 14:14; Isaiah 1:4; Jeremiah 14:7; Hosea 11:7)

Self-loathing (shame) (Ezekiel 6:9; Jeremiah 17:13)

Shallowness (Matthew 13:21; Mark 4:17; Luke 8:13)

Subject to God’s judgment and wrath (Jeremiah 1:16; Ezra 8:22; Joshua 24:20)

Unfitness for the kingdom (Luke 9:62; Galatians 1:6).

CAN A CHRISTIAN LOSE HIS SALVATION?

Can Jesus ever turn His back on and Forsake a “born again” Christian?  Absolutely Not!  Because Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Hebrews 13:5).  GOD IS NOT A COVENANT-BREAKER! (Hebrews 13:12).

Can a “born again” Christian ever backslide into the world, or worse, turn his back on and forsake the Lord and lose his salvation?  Absolutely!  Because when God created Adam and Eve, He did not make them mindless robots.  He created them “free moral agents,” each possessing a will, free to make choices and decisions.  MAN IS A COVENANT-BREAKER! (2 Timothy 3:3).

Throughout The Bible, God established commandments, laws, standards, and boundaries for His People to follow, obey and live by.  Attached to every promise of God is a condition that we must meet before the Lord will keep those promises.

Salvation, for example, is conditional.  In order to attain eternal life, a sinner must believe on and confess the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Romans 10:9-10).  

Most scriptures that set forth God’s commandments, promises and standards of Christian living have a condition attached, and that condition is clarified by the two-letter IF word.  For example:

How shall we escape, IF we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; (Hebrews 2:3);

IF any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are (1 Corinthians 3:17);

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and IF it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  And IF the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1 Peter 4:17-18);

If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: IF we deny Him, He also will deny us (2 Timothy 2:12);

For IF we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, (Hebrews 10:26);

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for IF you do these things, you shall never fall (2 Peter 1:10);

And it shall be, IF you do at all forget the LORD your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish (Deuteronomy 8:19);

For IF you live after the flesh, you shall die: but IF you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live (Romans 8:13);

And He said unto him, Why call Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but IF you will enter into life, keep the commandments (Matthew 19:17);

For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end (Hebrews 3:14).

Many people are confused when they feel God has not answered their prayers, but they do not realize, every promise of God comes with a condition.  People read half the verse and become upset when it is not fulfilled for them.  Only if we first fulfill our side of the covenant relationship with the Lord, will He fulfill His promises. Over and over again throughout the scriptures, God tells us what we must DO to please Him BEFORE we can receive what we want.  Here’s another example:

Delight yourself also in the LORD; and He shall give you the desires of your heart (Psalms 37:4).

Many Christians complain, “God has promised to give me the desires of my heart, so why has that not happened?” If we look at the above verse, we can see there is a condition attached to the promise. Yes, the Lord will give us the desires of our hearts, but first we must delight ourselves in Him. As far as our eternal destination is concerned, we have been promised eternal life, on the condition that we walk with God and always remain faithful to Him:

 

Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning.  IF that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us, even eternal life (1 John 2:24-25).

Far too many Christians are in the beginning, middle or final stage of Backsliding and Apostasy and are too deceived to realize it—or to care!  A backslidden “born again” Christian once walked with God but has turned against Him; he once fought the world, the flesh, and the devil but has retreated from battle and joined the enemy; he once fellowshipped with saints, but is now removed from them; and he has been overcome by sin and Satan and is filled with his own ways.  The process of backsliding can be slow and gradual, creeping up and taking captives unawares, or it can be sudden.  Regardless, the result is always the same.  All Christians backslide temporarily for various reasons.  This is why it is vitally important that we examine ourselves daily to make sure we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).

When a Christian backslides, Jesus the Good Shepherd cares because He loves His sheep and doesn’t want even one to be lost!  

[Jesus is Speaking:]  What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents (Luke 15:4-10) [Emphasis Added].

Unlike Peter who denied the Lord three times but was restored to right relationship (Matthew 26:70-74), many Christians that backslide into the world and depart from the faith (becoming apostates), never find their way back to God on their own.  God’s Spirit will not always strive with man (Genesis 6:3).  Although God is loving, long-suffering and merciful and doesn’t want anyone to perish, if a backslider continues to resist being reproved and convicted by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8; Acts 2:37; 9:5), God will cease to draw him and give him over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1:28).  When this happens, the backslider’s fate is sealed.
  

So, why do many Christians believe that they can KEEP SINNING and KEEP REPEATING the following “formula-cycle” and still make it to Heaven?

COMMIT SIN—CONFESS SIN—ASK FOR GOD’S FORGIVENESS—BE FORGIVEN

FIRST, the missing third element in the above “formula-cycle is REPENT!  To repent means to CHANGE DIRECTION AND STOP SINNING!  Jesus did not condemn the woman caught in the act of adultery, but His parting words of instruction were:  “GO AND SIN NO MORE!” (John 8:11);

SECOND, a false doctrinal belief that has taken hold in the Church is “Once Saved Always Saved” (aka Eternal Security).  If this doctrine represents Truth, then someone should have told Jesus, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Peter, Paul and Jude so they wouldn’t have wasted a lot of time and words teaching otherwise!  They never taught, “Get saved, then do whatever you want and follow a “formula-cycle” because you’ll still be in right standing with God!”  This doctrine gives Believers a false sense of security (which Satan wants!), it encourages them to keep sinning, and it conflicts with the following Scriptures:

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1 Peter 4:17-18)

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9).

Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? and in Your name have cast out devils? and in Your name done many wonderful works?  (Matthew 7:21-22)

That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27);

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23);

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).

If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15).

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14);

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him (Hebrews 2:3);

Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid (Romans 6:15);

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27);

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:12-13).

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight; if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister (Colossians 1:19-23);

And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: (1 Peter 1:17);

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:26);

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:10-11).

BROTHERS AND SISTERS, I EXHORT YOU TO BE PREPARED!  Our time on earth is short and Christ will be returning soon.  We need to have our lives in order when He comes, for He will come “like a thief in the night” at a time when we least expect Him (1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10).  We need to WAKE UP FROM OUR SLUMBER, turn back to God, and surrender our ALL to Him!

EIGHT BELIEVERS TURNED OVER TO SATAN

Judas Iscariot (John 13:27)

Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5)

Alexander the coppersmith (1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 4:14)

Hymenaeus (1 Timothy 1:19-20)

Phygellus & Hermogenes (2 Timothy 1:15)

Demas (2 Timothy 4:10)

If you are still unconvinced that a Christian can go to Hell, I recommend that you read:

Baxter, Mary K. A Divine Revelation of Hell. New Kensington: Whitaker House, 1993. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/divine-revelation-of-hell-mary-k-baxter/1100623143?ean=9780883682791

UNREPENTANT BACKSLIDERS WILL BE JUDGED & PUNISHED

The theory that God will not punish, judge, and condemn His people when they backslide and persist in sin and rebellion has no foundation in any attribute, act, promise, prophecy, covenant, or revelation of God.  He has been just and good to all in all ages, blessing men when they obey and cursing the same men when they disobey.  He is completely impartial; nothing can cause Him to act contrary to His nature as He has revealed it in His Word.  God has given hundreds of warnings for men not to backslide lest they die in their sin and rebellion and suffer the fate of all sinners.  He has given many examples of angels, demons, and men who have actually suffered and will yet suffer such destiny:

Your own wickedness shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that you have forsaken the LORD your God, and that My fear is not in you, says the Lord GOD of hosts (Jeremiah 2:19).

SCRIPTURES PERTAINING TO BACKSLIDING 

Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18);

Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12);

[Jesus is Speaking:] A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when He had said these things, He cried, He that has ears to hear, let him hear. And His disciples asked Him, saying, What might this parable be? And He said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the way side are they that hear; then comes the devil, and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience (Luke 8:5-15) [Emphasis Added];

Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love.  Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent (Revelation 2:4-5).

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent (Revelation 3:15-19);

You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness (2 Peter 3:17);

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself (Proverbs 14:14);

Even from the days of your fathers you are gone away from My ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, says the Lord of hosts. But you said, Wherein shall we return? (Malachi 3:7);

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62);

But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brethren (Luke 22:32);

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20);

Remember Lot’s wife [who looked back and became a pillar of salt] (Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:32) [Emphasis Mine];

I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7);

You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? (Galatians 5:7);

But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? (Galatians 4:9);

For IF after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior 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 (2 Peter 2:20-21);

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he finds it empty, swept, and garnished [void of God’s Presence and God’s Word]. Then goes he, and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation (Matthew 12:43-45); [Emphasis Mine]

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8);

Remember therefore from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent (Revelation 2:5).

O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do You it for Your name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against You (Jeremiah 14:7).

BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT BACKSLIDING

A backslidden person is not hopeless (Psalms 37:24; Proverbs 24:16);

Backsliding brings guilt and consequences (Numbers 14:43; Psalms 125:5; Isaiah 59:2,9-11; Jeremiah 5:6; 8:5,13; 15:6; Luke 9:62);

Backsliding brings its own punishment (Proverbs 14:14; Jeremiah 2:19);

Backsliding is a sin which is to be confessed (Isaiah 59:12-14; Jeremiah 3:13-14; 14:7-9);

Backsliding is hateful to saints (Psalms 101:3);

Backsliding is liable to continue and increase (Jeremiah 8:5; 14:7);

Blessedness of those who keep from backsliding (Proverbs 28:14; Isaiah 26:3-4; Colossians 1:21-23);

Exhortations to return from backsliding (2 Chronicles 30:6; Isaiah 31:6; Jeremiah 3:12,14,22; Hosea 6:1);

God is displeased with backsliding (Psalms 78:57,59; Hebrews 10:38);

God promises pardon to REPENTANT backsliders (2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 3:12; 31:20; 36:3);

God warns against backsliding (Psalms 85:8; 1 Corinthians 10:12);

God will punish those who tempt others to backslide (Proverbs 28:10; Matthew 18:6);

Pray to be restored from backsliding (Psalms 80:3; 85:4; Lamentations 5:21);

Proneness to backsliding (Proverbs 24:16; Hosea 11:7).

SEVEN FACTS ABOUT BACKSLIDERS

It is possible for brethren or Christians to err from the Truth (James 5:19-20; Luke 22:32);

An erring Christian can be restored (James 5:19-20; Luke 22:32);

An erring Christian becomes a sinner again when he sins (James 5:20; Romans 6:14-23);

An erring Christian incurs the death penalty when he sins (UNLESS he confesses his sin, asks God to forgive him, and REPENTS) (James 5:20; Ezekiel 18:24; Romans 8:12-13; Galatians 5:19-21);

If an erring Christian is saved from his error, his SOUL will be saved from death (James 5:20; 1 John 1:9; 1 John 5:16);

If an erring Christian repents and is saved from death, his sins will be forgiven and hidden (James 5:20; 1 John 1:9; Revelation 2:5);

If he does not repent, he will be lost and will have to pay the penalty for sin (James 5:20; Romans 6:14-23; 8:12-13; 2 Timothy 2:12; Ezekiel 18:24; Hebrews 6:4-6; 10:26-29; 2 Peter 2:20-21).

FIVE SINS OF THE BACKSLIDER

He allows his heart to be drawn away from God (James 1:14);

He gives service to other gods.

He refuses to listen to God (Jeremiah 13:10);

He worships other gods (Deuteronomy 8:19);

His heart has turned away from God (Jeremiah 17:5; 2 Timothy 4:4);

TEN COMMANDS FOR BACKSLIDERS

Be afflicted, mourn and weep (James 4:9);

Cleanse your hands, you sinners (James 4:8);

Draw nigh to God (James 4:8);

Humble yourself before God (James 4:10);

Let your joy be turned to heaviness (James 4:9);

Let your laughter be turned to mourning (James 4:9);

Purify your hearts, you doubters (James 4:8);

Resist the devil (James 4:7);

Speak not evil of one another (James 4:11).

Submit yourselves to God (James 4:7);

GOD’S PROMISES TO REPENTANT BACKSLIDERS

God gives more grace to the humble (James 4:6);

God shall lift you up (James 4:10).

God will draw nigh to you (James 4:8);

The devil will flee from you (James 4:7);

THINGS THAT LEAD TO BACKSLIDING

A distant (vs. intimate) relationship with Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21-23; 16:24);

A haughty spirit (Proverbs 16:18);

Abiding not in Christ (John 15:6);

Abuse inflicted by pastors and church people (Jeremiah 10:21; Matthew 18:6-7);

Attending the wrong church;

Casting off of first love (1 Timothy 5:12; Revelation 2:4);

Committing Idolatry (Exodus 32:1,8; Deuteronomy 9:12);

Covetousness (1 Samuel 15:11);

Deceit (Jeremiah 8:5; Mark 13:5);

Deceitfulness of riches (Mark 4:19; 1 Timothy 6:10);

Delay in fulfillment of desires (Proverbs 13:12; John 11:3-6);

Discouraging circumstances and hardness of the way (Numbers 21:4; Luke 5:18-19);

Enslavement to sin, such as addictions (Isaiah 1:4; John 8:34);

Evil associations (1 Kings 11:4; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Mark 5:35);

Evil imaginations (Jeremiah 7:24; 2 Corinthians 10:5);

Failing to attend church (Hebrews 10:25; 2 Timothy 2:22);

Failing to control the tongue (1 Corinthians 10:10; Ephesians 5:4; James 3);

Failing to keep the flesh under (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; 9:27);

Failing to live by faith (Hebrews 10:38-39; 1 Timothy 1:19);

Failing to pray daily (Deuteronomy 6:6-8; Matthew 26:41; Acts 4:24; 6:4; James 4:2);

Failing to reject temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13; Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 1:12);

Failing to study God’s Word daily (Acts 6:4; John 5:39; 2 Timothy 2:15);

Fear of association (Mark 14:70);

Feeling unworthy and that God will never use you;

Heeding seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1);

Imaginary hindrances (Mark 16:3-4);

Inconsistencies seen or imagined in other Christians (perceived hypocrisy);

Lack of sympathy on the part of the Church (Matthew 15:23; Mark 10:13);

Led away with the error of the wicked (2 Peter 3:17);

Love of money (Acts 5:1-11);

Love of the world (2 Timothy 4:10; Romans 12:2);

Lust of the flesh and the eyes and the pride of life (Matthew 4:1-10; 1 John 2:16);

No fear of God (Jeremiah 2:19);

No forethought to counting the cost (Luke 14:28-29);

Offense that results in betrayal, bitterness and hatred (Acts 24:16; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 8:9);

Overcome by the cares of the world (Mark 4:19; Hebrews 12:1);

Partiality on the part of church leadership (James 2:9; Proverbs 28:21; Romans 2:11);

Seeing the wicked prosper (Psalms 73:2-3);

Willful sin which is not confessed or repented of (Hebrews 10:26);

Worldly allurements (Genesis 19:26);

Worldly possessions (Matthew 19:22);

Worldly success (2 Chronicles 25:2,14; Psalms 78:57; Hosea 6:4).

A WORD ABOUT SPIRITUAL ABUSE

As indicated above, Christians backslide for many reasons.  Statistically, however, the sin of offense tops the list because it inflicts the deepest wounds and often leaves permanent scars.  Jesus Himself had much to say about the sin of offense (Matthew 18:6-7).

On the back cover of their 1991 book, The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse, authors David Johnson and Jeff VanVonderen wrote:  “Churches are meant to be safe places where spiritual leaders help and equip the members for the work of service.  There are some churches, however, where leaders use their spiritual authority to control and dominate others, attempting to meet their own needs for importance, power, intimacy or spiritual gratification.  Through the subtle use of the right ‘spiritual’ words, church members are manipulated or shamed into certain behaviors or performance that ensnares in legalism, guilt and begrudging service.  This is spiritual abuse, and the results can be shattering.”

Sadly, spiritual abuse knows no boundaries in the Church.  Members can be perpetrators as well as victims.  Spiritual abuse occurs when someone is treated in a way that damages them spiritually.  As a deeper result, their relationship with God—or that part of them that is capable of having a relationship with God—becomes wounded or scarred.  Regardless of who the abuser is, there is something very wrong in the heart of any Christian who wounds a fellow-believer to the extent that he withdraws from God and falls away.  To the offender, it is much easier to sit back and criticize and judge fallen brethren than it is to actively seek them out to restore them in a spirit of meekness and love.  Something is equally wrong when a backslidden Christian is treated with indifference and disdain by the Church, and abandoned to a fate far worse than that which he faced as an unbeliever (Ezekiel 3:20-21; Proverbs 28:10; Matthew 12:45; John 5:14; 2 Peter 2:20-22).

A Christian who deliberately and habitually commits the sin of offense against a brother or sister in Christ has a serious HEART condition!  The Bible describes it as unperfected love, which is the leading cause of disunity, division, and strife in the Body of Christ (1 John 4:16-18; 1 Corinthians 4:21; 13; Galatians 5:15-18,22-26; 6:1; Ephesians 4:2-3; Titus 3:2; James 5:19-20).

Tragically, while the Church turns its back on the plight of its spiritually-wounded, the world welcomes returning sinners (backsliders) with open arms and unconditional love.  Is it any wonder then that many backslidden believers have no desire to return to an unsympathetic, indifferent church?

If individual believers don’t take the initiative to restore backslidden relatives and friends, who will?  EVEN MORE SOBERING, WHO WILL GOD HOLD ACCOUNTABLE? (Ezekiel 3:18-21; 33).

NINE-NINE WAYS OF BACKSLIDERS

They abhor God's judgments (Leviticus 26:15);

They abide not in Christ (John 15:1-8);

They abide not in the doctrine of Christ and of God (2 John 1:9);

They are bent on backsliding (Hosea 11:7);

They are idolatrous (1 Corinthians 10:7); 

They are overcome by sin (2 Peter 2:20);

They are rebellious (Isaiah 50:5);

They backslide like a heifer (Hosea 4:16);

They backslide many times (Jeremiah 14:7);

They become ashamed of Christ (Mark 8:38);

They become barren and unfruitful (2 Peter 1:8);

They become blind (2 Peter 1:9);

They become broken off (Romans 11:17-24);

They become castaways (1 Corinthians 9:27);

They become corrupted from the simplicity in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3);

They become cut off (Romans 11:22);

They become defeated by Satan (Luke 11:21); 

They become filled with debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults (2 Corinthians 12:20-21); 

They become offended (Mark 4:17);

They break God's covenant (Leviticus 26:15);

They cast God behind them (Ezekiel 23:35);

They cast law behind their backs (Nehemiah 9:26);

They cast off their first faith (1 Timothy 5:12);

They come short of the goal (Hebrews 4:1);

They commit fornication (1 Corinthians 10:8);

They continue in sin, thinking grace will abound (Romans 6);

They decline to walk with God (Psalms 44:18);

They defile the body (1 Corinthians 3:16-17);

They deny Christ (2 Timothy 2:12);

They depart from God (Hebrews 3:12);

They depart from the faith (1 Timothy 4:1-8);

They despise God's statutes (Leviticus 26:15);

They disobey truth (Galatians 3:1); 

They do not endure (Matthew 10:22);

They do not make their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10);

They draw back into perdition (Hebrews 10:39);

They err from the faith (1 Timothy 6:10-21);

They err from the truth (James 5:19-20);

They fail God's grace (Hebrews 12:15);

They fail to continue in faith (Colossians 1:23);

They fail to continue seeking life and immorality (Romans 2:7-8);

They fail to hold fast to the end (Hebrews 3:6,12-14; 4:1-11; 6:19);

They fail to labor to enter life (Hebrews 4:11; John 6:27);

They fail to put to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:12-13; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Colossians 3:5-10);

They fail to stand fast (1 Thessalonians 3:8);

They fail to take heed lest they fall (1 Corinthians 10:12-14);

They fail to walk in the Spirit (Romans 8:1-13; Galatians 5:16-26);

They fall away (Hebrews 6:4-9; 10:26-29);

They fall away by temptation (Luke 8:13);

They fall from grace (Galatians 5:4);

They fall from their own steadfastness in Christ (2 Peter 3:17);

They fall in unbelief (Hebrews 4:11);

They forget God (Deuteronomy 8:11); 

They forget purging from sin (2 Peter 1:9);

They forsake God (Deuteronomy 32:15; 2 Chronicles 15:2);

They give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-8);

They go back and walk no more with Christ (John 6:66-68);

They go backward, not forward (Jeremiah 7:24).

They grow cold in love (Matthew 24:12);

They harden their hearts by sin (Hebrews 3:12-13);

They hate the brethren (1 John 3:15);

They leave first love (Revelation 2:4-5);

They look back to and embrace the old life (Luke 9:62); 

They lose savor (Matthew 5:13); 

They love money (1 Timothy 6:10-21);

They love the present world (2 Timothy 4:10);

They lust after evil things (1 Corinthians 10:6); 

They move away from the hope (Colossians 1:23);

They murmur (1 Corinthians 10:10);

They neglect their salvation (Hebrews 2:1-4);

They permit the cares of world, deceitfulness of riches, and lusts of other things to choke the Word (Mark 4:18-19); 

They permit their heart to depart from God (Jeremiah 17:9; Hebrews 3:12);

They permit roots of bitterness to defile them (Hebrews 12:15);

They provoke God (Deuteronomy 32:16;

They put away faith (1 Timothy 1:9);

They refuse to return to God (Jeremiah 8:5);

They refuse to walk in Christ as they received Him (Colossians 2:6-7);

They remove from Christ (Galatians 1:6-8); 

They serve sin (John 8:32-36; Matthew 6:24);

They shipwreck faith (1 Timothy 1:19);

They sin against God (Exodus 32:32-33);

They slide back from God (Jeremiah 8:5);

They sow to the flesh (Galatians 6:7-8);

They tempt Christ (1 Corinthians 10:9);

They trust their own righteousness (Ezekiel 33:13);

They turn again to folly (Psalms 85:8);

They turn again to the old bondage of sin (Galatians 4:9; 5:1; 6:1);

They turn aside after Satan (1 Timothy 5:15);

They turn aside to sin (Psalms 125:5);

They turn away from the holy commandment (2 Peter 2:20);

They turn away from truth (2 Timothy 4:1-4);

They turn back from the Lord (Zephaniah 1:6);

They turn from righteousness (Ezekiel 3:20; 18:16-24; 33:12-18);

They turn their back on God (Jeremiah 2:27);

They turn their heart back (Psalms 44:18);

They turn way back (Isaiah 50:5; Jeremiah 38:22);

They will not listen to God (Leviticus 26:14);

They will not obey commands (Leviticus 26:14);

They yield to sin (Romans 6:14-23);

TWENTY-FIVE EXCUSES FOR BACKSLIDING & SIN

Absence of a leader (Exodus 32);

Beautiful women (Numbers 25; Judges 16; 2 Samuel 11; 13; 1 Kings 11);

Complaining (Numbers 11:1-3);

Covetousness (Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-33; Numbers 22; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Joshua 7);

Desire for children (Genesis 19:31-38);

Desire to be like other nations (1 Samuel 8:5-20);

Dislike of sister-in-law (Numbers 12);

Drunkenness (Leviticus 10:1-10);

Fear of Man (Genesis 12:12-15; 20:2,11; 26:7);

Following advice of youth (1 Kings 12:1-15; 2 Chronicles 10:1-11);

Hunger (Exodus 16:2-13);

Jealousy (Genesis 4:4-5; 37:3-11,18-36; Judges 8; 12; 1 Samuel 18:8-26:2);

Listening to false prophets (1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18);

Love of praise (John 12:43);

Lust for flesh to eat (Numbers 11:4-35);

Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life (Genesis 3:6; 1 John 2:15-17);

Pride and self-exaltation (Numbers 16; Jude 1:11);

Refusal to hear God (2 Kings 17:13-18);

Seeking to please wife (1 Kings 11:4-8; 16:31; 21:25);

Selfishness (1 Kings 12:25-33);

Self-will and love of authority (1 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 15);

Sexual perversion (Genesis 19; Romans 1:18-32);

Stubbornness (Judges 2:7-19);

Thirst (Exodus 15:23-26; 17:1-7);

Unbelief (Numbers 13:26-14:44; Hebrews 4:1-8; Jude 1:5);

SEVEN EXAMPLES OF BEING RENEWED

Israel (Judges 3:5-10; 1 Samuel 7; 1 Kings 18; 2 Kings 11:17-21; 2 Chronicles 17)

David (2 Samuel 12; Psalms 51)

Hezekiah (2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38)

Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:11-13)

Jonah (Jonah 2)

Peter (Matthew 26:75; Mark 16:7; Luke 22:31-34; John 21:15-17)

A Corinthian (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2)

HOW TO RETURN TO GOD

Confess all known sins (Isaiah 59:12-14; 1 John 1:9)

Repent or turn from sin (Proverbs 28:13)

Make right any wrongs, which will result in renewed fellowship (Acts 24:16; 1 John 3:7)

Read and study God’s Word daily (2 Timothy 2:15)

Pray daily (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Faithfully attend an uncompromising, Full Gospel church for fellowship, instruction and service

Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6 and lean on its truth.

APOSTASY DEFINED

Merriam-Webster’s Definition: renunciation of a religious faith; abandonment of a previous loyalty.

Apostasy means to fall away from the Truth.  Therefore, an apostate is someone who has once believed and then rejected the Truth of God.  Apostasy is a rebellion against God because it is a rebellion against Truth.  In the Old Testament God warned the Jewish people about their idolatry and their lack of trust in Him.  In the New Testament, the epistles warn us about not falling away from the Truth.  Many denominational pastors and congregations are apostates because they are steeped in legalism and the “traditions of men” (Colossians 2:8), because they do not believe, preach and teach that the gifted and powerful, supernatural church, as depicted in the Book of Acts, is for today, and because they avoid involvement in and preaching against controversial and “politically-correct” sins like abortion and homosexuality.  APOSTASY IS A VERY REAL AND DANGEROUS THREAT!

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

SIX MARKS OF APOSTATES

(Deuteronomy 29:18-19)

Turning away from God in the heart;

Idolatry;

A zeal to lead others away from God and thus become a root of gall and bitterness to them;

Pride and presumption which cause one to laugh at sin and make light of evil;

Walking after the imaginations of a deceitful and desperately wicked heart (Jeremiah 17:9);

Living a life of self-gratification and sensual lusts (2 Timothy 3:4; James 5:5).

SEVEN STAGES OF APOSTASY

Departure from the living God (Hebrews 3:12);

Habitual sinning, careless living, and flagrant violation of God's laws (Hebrews 3,10,17);

Hardness of heart through refusal to hear and obey God (Hebrews 3:8,13,15);

Open rebellion against God to provoke and tempt Him (Hebrews 3:8-9,16);

Refusal to hear God (Hebrews 3:7);

Unbelief is a consequence of hardening the heart against God (Hebrews 3:12);

Apostasy.  All faith in God and His redemptive work is thrown overboard.  The apostate is beyond all hope of repentance because of no more faith (Hebrews 3:11,18-19).

The ultimate sin of apostates is that they count the blood of Christ as a common thing, esteeming it of no value as an atonement.  At one time they did esteem it as the atonement or they could not have been sanctified by it; but later they became apostate, disregarding it altogether as unfit to redeem.

TWENTY STAGES OF WORLD APOSTASY

Men went into sodomy (Romans 1:27);

They became dark in their hearts (Romans 1:21);

They became fools (Romans 1:22);

They became reprobate in mind (Romans 1:28);

They became unthankful (Romans 1:21);

They changed God’s glory (Romans 1:23);

They changed the truth to a lie (Romans 1:25);

They despised the coming judgment;

They did not glorify God (Romans 1:21);

They dishonored their bodies (Romans 1:24);

They gloried in wickedness (Romans 1:32).

They professed to be wise (Romans 1:22);

They rejected knowledge of God (Romans 1:28);

They served creatures, not God (Romans 1:25);

They submitted to vile passions (Romans 1:26);

They were completely perverted sexually (Romans 1:28);

They were filled with iniquities (Romans 1:29-31);

They were vain in their imaginations (Romans 1:21);

They worshiped creation as God (Romans 1:25);

Women became lesbians (Romans 1:26);

GOD’S VOW TO UNREPENTANT APOSTATES

God promises not to have mercy upon the backslider whose heart turns away from Him and becomes apostate (Deuteronomy 29:18-20; Jeremiah 13:14; 21:7; Ezekiel 7:4,9; 8:18; 9:10; Romans 11:21).  God did not spare Israel (Romans 11:21; Jude 1:5) or the old world and fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4-5), so we cannot expect Him to spare other apostates.  

SIX JUDGMENTS OF GOD UPON APOSTATES

They will receive no mercy (Deuteronomy 29:20; Hebrews 10:26-29);

His fierce anger will be against them;

He will lay upon them all the curses written in His Word;

He will blot out their names from under heaven;

He will separate them from the righteous to be punished (Deuteronomy 29:21; 2 Peter 2:9-10);

He will make them examples to coming generations of His wrath (Deuteronomy 29:22-28);

God’s anger and jealousy will smoke against the unrepentant backsliders in heart until they are destroyed by curses.

GOD’S WARNING TO NATIONS THAT FORSAKE HIM & TRUTH

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.  He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure (Psalms 2:1-5);

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them (Romans 1:18-32).

If you have not already done so, I encourage you to read my previous blog titled, “America & Christianity Under Attack!”  Thanks to the collective efforts of Satan, his demons, and his human agents and puppets, the America of 1776 has become a mere shadow of its former glory!  The God-fearing, free, powerful and influential nation that our Founding Fathers envisioned and birthed 238 years ago and the America of today are as different as day and night.  We have become a morally corrupt nation racing toward socialism, shouldering a massive debt, while forsaking the Christian principles on which this country was founded. What did our Founding Fathers do in a time of national crisis? They knelt before God our Father and called upon His name!  America’s future is not in the hands of the ungodly, it is in the hands of God’s children and God is waiting for the Church to answer His wake up call:

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Patriots and true Christians today are engaged in a desperate battle to protect the Constitution of the United States and the freedoms of all Americans against anti-American, anti-God “enemies within!”  As a nation, America is also trying to stay afloat in a moral sewer of corruption, lawlessness, sexual immorality and perversion and the innocent blood of 56+ million aborted babies!  Out of that number, only God knows how many of His predestined apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers were murdered by Satan before they had a chance to be born and fulfill their divine destinies!  How long, I wonder, will Almighty God withhold His Wrath and Vengeance?

Under the Old Testament Law, God was prepared to impose the following curses for rebellion and disobedience:

THE CURSES FOR DISOBEYING GOD

(Deuteronomy 28:45-68)

Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you.  And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever.

Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the Lord will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you.  The Lord will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young.  And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you.

They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the Lord your God has given you.  You shall eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and your daughters whom the Lord your God has given you, in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you.  The sensitive and very refined man among you will be hostile toward his brother, toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the rest of his children whom he leaves behind, so that he will not give any of them the flesh of his children whom he will eat, because he has nothing left in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates.  The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground because of her delicateness and sensitivity, will refuse to the husband of her bosom, and to her son and her daughter, her placenta which comes out from between her feet and her children whom she bears; for she will eat them secretly for lack of everything in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates.

If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, then the Lord will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues—great and prolonged plagues—and serious and prolonged sicknesses. Moreover He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you. Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Book of the Law, will the Lord bring upon you until you are destroyed. You shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of heaven in multitude, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God. And it shall be, that just as the Lord rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so the Lord will rejoice over you to destroy you and bring you to nothing; and you shall be plucked from off the land which you go to possess.

Then the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known—wood and stone. And among those nations you shall find no rest, nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the Lord will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul. Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life.  In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’ because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see.

And the Lord will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, ‘You shall never see it again.’ And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.” 

IN CLOSING

CHURCH, GOD IS WEARY OF OUR BACKSLIDINGS!  We need to REPENT AND RETURN while there is still time and opportunity to live for God’s pleasure and glory!  God is infinitely patient and understanding of the weaknesses of His children, but backsliding is not merely a problem of human weakness; it is the sin of crowding God out by filling one’s life with the god of SELF.  With God crowded out, we seek other things to take His place.  How this must grieve and hurt God!

What more powerfully proclaims the need of REVIVAL today than the backslidden condition of the multitude of professing Christians?  If there was ever a people wallowing in mud like pigs and consuming their own vomit like dogs, it is the present generation!  We take pride in our vast progress and entertain ourselves with stories of the amazing increase of knowledge in our lifetime, but the love of filth and corruption has scarcely ever been greater in the history of the world.  We also pride ourselves in our understanding and in our love of the downtrodden and oppressed and we don’t hesitate to advise the rest of the world how to conduct its affairs, but we are so deeply embedded in the quagmire of SELF-INDULGENCE that no one cares to listen!

The End-Time clock is ticking louder as the great and terrible Day of the Lord nears (2 Peter 3:10).  Jesus will soon come to Rapture His Bride off the face of the Earth!  He is coming for “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27).”  Therefore, WAKE UP AND RETURN TO GOD BEFORE YOU FIND YOURSELF LEFT BEHIND!

Be Blessed!

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES PERTAINING TO APOSTASY

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (1 Corinthians 9:27);

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame (Hebrews 6:4-6);

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness (2 Peter 2:15);

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior 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. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire (2 Peter 2:20-22);

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God (Hebrews 3:12);

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden underfoot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know Him that has said, Vengeance belongs unto Me, I will recompense, says the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:25-31);

Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (1 Timothy 4:1-4);

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme (1 Timothy 1:19-20);

For some are already turned aside after Satan (1 Timothy 5:15);

If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us (2 Timothy 2:12);

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Timothy 4:3-4);

This you know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes (2 Timothy 1:15);

For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10);

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul (Hebrews 10:38-39);

O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake You shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters (Jeremiah 17:13);

I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:6-8);

From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him (John 6:66);

But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, [and] does according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] does, shall he live? All his righteousness that he has done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them shall he die (Ezekiel 18:24);

Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:8-9);

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us (1 John 2:19);

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for [as for] this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him (Exodus 32:1-35);

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve (Luke 22:3);

Remember Lot’s wife [who looked back and became a pillar of salt] (Luke 17:32) [Emphasis Mine];

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what you say. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely you also are one of them; for your speech betrays you. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, you shall deny Me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:69-75);

You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5:13);

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold (Matthew 24:12);