I don't know if there is such a thing as 'chronic backsliders.'
I do know that there are people who sincerely love God-and God loves them-who struggle.
Some folks struggle is more apparent and public than others.
Religious spirits judge and say if a person does all the right outer works, i.e. go back to church, run to the altar at every call, cry, spit up, etc., then this person is 'struggling' and we should bear long and love them, pray them through, don't give up on them...
But if a person does not perform all these religious duties to appease the people, or should I say religious spirits, then they are apostate, reprobate, etc. whatever...
Funny thing is that an altar can be anything, not just that thing in front of a church building.
And last I cheq'd until a person inhales their last breath of oxygen and exhale their last CO2 then there is ALWAYS a chance at redemption, at forgiveness, at restoration....
With this knowledge and revelation, I am VERY mindful of judging if one who we deem as 'backslidden' will ever come back to God.
It could very well be and is more likely than not that a person is right with God...only God and that person REALLY knows.
This makes me think of the scripture....
Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
If we are spiritual, if we are the church, if we are ambassadors of Christ, then we need to be in the business of restoring folks, not condemning them to hell--
and doing so in a spirit of meekness.....
As the Word says...
Because God can show you you can fall for the same sin that overtaken brother has....only by the GRACE of God it isn't you......