Your Turn: "Mistakes Backsliders Make"

[rgcraig]

I'm sure this has been mentioned here, but can't someone be backslidden while sitting on the pews and being busy doing God's work?

If they aren't physically doing something that you can "see" the sin it's easy to hide amonst the saints and be just as backslid. Playing church has become an art to some.

How do you handle that in your church?

[mizpeh]

Everyone has different definitions of what it means to backslide.

Are there stages to backsliding?

When is someone considered backslidden?

Dan A addressed it somewhat with different attitudes.

What is the Bible's definition of backslidden?

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I'm sure this has been mentioned here, but can't someone be backslidden while sitting on the pews and being busy doing God's work?

If they aren't physically doing something that you can "see" the sin it's easy to hide amonst the saints and be just as backslid. Playing church has become an art to some.

How do you handle that in your church?

This verse always made me frustrated.

I believe many UPC live this way......And he did that which was right in the sight of the UPCI, but not with a perfect heart.

2 Chronicles 25:2
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I'm sure this has been mentioned here, but can't someone be backslidden while sitting on the pews and being busy doing God's work?

If they aren't physically doing something that you can "see" the sin it's easy to hide amonst the saints and be just as backslid. Playing church has become an art to some.

How do you handle that in your church?

I preached a message a few years ago titled "The Prodigal In the Pew". Prodigal means to be WASTEFUL. It does NOT mean to leave. No one can be more prodigal than those who have ready access to the abundance of God's provision and do not avail themselves of this provision. I believe the older brother was far more prodigal than the younger brother who left for when the younger brother had exhausted his "portion" of the inheritance on riotous living, the older brother was back home, still wasting the fullness of the Father's house every day.

Yes it is possible to be so busy you loose your relationship and don't even realize it yourself. It is easy to confuse service with relationship. We often forget that we don't build relationships in a crowd but in our alone time. We do, however, CELEBRATE our relationship in a crowd and in public service.

Originally Posted by COOPER

This verse always made me frustrated.

I believe many UPC live this way......And he did that which was right in the sight of the UPCI, but not with a perfect heart.

I pray that one day you will get over it, Coop.

Love ya, man!

[Esther]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I'm sure this has been mentioned here, but can't someone be backslidden while sitting on the pews and being busy doing God's work?

If they aren't physically doing something that you can "see" the sin it's easy to hide amonst the saints and be just as backslid. Playing church has become an art to some.

How do you handle that in your church?

Very insightful Renda and true.

[Esther]

Originally Posted by philjones

I preached a message a few years ago titled "The Prodigal In the Pew". Prodigal means to be WASTEFUL. It does NOT mean to leave. No one can be more prodigal than those who have ready access to the abundance of God's provision and do not avail themselves of this provision. I believe the older brother was far more prodigal than the younger brother who left for when the younger brother had exhausted his "portion" of the inheritance on riotous living, the older brother was back home, still wasting the fullness of the Father's house every day.

Yes it is possible to be so busy you loose your relationship and don't even realize it yourself. It is easy to confuse service with relationship. We often forget that we don't build relationships in a crowd but in our alone time. We do, however, CELEBRATE our relationship in a crowd and in public service.

Interesting I always thought it meant "left" as well.

[Esther]

One thing I think needs to be address not following the standards of the church doesn't mean someone is backslid.

But when someone quits coming to church, reading their Bible and praying does.

Originally Posted by Esther

One thing I think needs to be address not following the standards of the church doesn't mean someone is backslid.

But when someone quits coming to church, reading their Bible and praying does.

Esther,

It is my opinion that one does not backslide in a moment... it is a progressive event. One is actually backslidden when they have slid back so far that they are now closer to the world than they are to God.

I do not wholeheartedly agree with your first statement as written because there are some standards of the church that are Biblical and would indeed indicate that someone has reached the point of being closer to the world than they are to the Lord Jesus. I am sure you agree with me because I think you meant when someone is not following all the "subjective standards of men". Correct me if I am wrong!

Originally Posted by Steadfast

Surely this is one that is vitally important:

"It's A Mistake To Be So Deceived You Don't Know You Are Backslidden."

After being in full time ministry for 27 years I can attest to two heartbreaking facts:

1) The carnal nature in people can justify any sin they want to commit if they want it bad enough.

2) Once they start trying to justify it even the Word of God isn't enough to convince them they are wrong.

The end result is a backslidden person who refuses to believe they are anything less than 'saved'.

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I'm sure this has been mentioned here, but can't someone be backslidden while sitting on the pews and being busy doing God's work?

If they aren't physically doing something that you can "see" the sin it's easy to hide amonst the saints and be just as backslid. Playing church has become an art to some.

How do you handle that in your church?

Without a doubt what you refer to is true. I think it goes without saying (even thought someone needs to shout if from the rooftops) that one can be in a backslidden state both sitting on a barstool or sitting on a pew.

I'm dealing with a situation right now where the Pastor has asked me to step in and help him minister to a faction of his Church that are, in his words, "Backslid as a goose". Fightings, warrings, critical tongued... and refusing to be stirred up by either the preaching of mercy or conviction.

It is a gravely sad situation when someone sits on the 'Doctor's doorstep' and dies as the Great Physician walks by every service. In fact, I must tell you Miss Renda: I'd rather be lost on a barstool than lost in a Church and not know it. At least if I'm living in sin and know it I can find my way back. If I'm living lost - even sitting on a pew - and don't have the spiritual integrity to admit it then I'm already lost... and just waiting on eternity to prove it.

I preached a message about a month ago to my people called, "The Advantage of Being a Sinner". He came to 'seek and save' that which was lost and, sadly, if you don't know your lost you feel no need to repent and step towards His Grace.