All of us should be concerned about being faithful to God. It is easy to get sidetracked. Here are a few identifying marks of a backslider:
- A backslider forgets to read his Bible. Previously, it had a vital place in his life. Now he cuts himself off from his spiritual nourishment. He says he is too busy.
- A backslider ceases to pray. No longer does he ask God for wisdom and guidance-or to bless others and to forgive his sins. Since he ignores the Most High, God seems further and further away (I Thes. 5:17).
- A backslider begins to criticize others (Phil. 4:8). Feeling the need for justification for his actions, or lack of action, he tries to ease his conscience by hunting and magnifying the faults of others. Finally, he convinces himself that “those who run the church” are just as bad or worse than he is.
- A backslider no longer feels a desire to win people to Christ. Not being faithful himself, he naturally doesn’t encourage others to submit themselves to the love and authority of the Savior (Mk. 16:15)
- A backslider gives less and speaks of “wasting money.” We give because we love; he left his “first love” (I Cor. 16:2).
- With his heart now in the world, a backslider becomes irregular in attendance (Heb. 10:25). He no longer thrills to worship nor enjoys communion with God. Fellowship with the saints means less and less. Have you felt yourself backsliding? Come back as quickly as possible.
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip . . . How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation . . .” (Heb. 21,3).
Ken Tyler
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