Your Turn: "Mistakes Backsliders Make"

[JaneEyre]

Sis. Falla39 posted a link to this family's music on another thread. I thought I'd check them out and I am glad I did.

Here is a link to "We Still Believe" CD. Scroll down and click on "The Blood of Jesus"...This song made me think of this link so I came here to share it.

http://www.thecollingsworthfamily.com/music.shtml

It's Southern Gospel so I know it's not everyone's favorite.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by meBNme

While I believe you are correct, I also think it is a common mistake that believers make when thinking of (and worse) dealing with backsliders.

The things you state certainly apply to believers as they are in the process of backsliding. They are symptoms, evidence of, and causes for backsliding.

But the danger is that once a person has already backslidden, and ESPECIALLY after they have acknowledged it, The last thing they need is to be told, or have inferred that they are prideful, self absorbed, shameful, a coward, and denying God.
While some or all of those things may have been true, and what caused them to backslide, Most all of them (that are wanting to come back) already know these things, and are under constant condemnation from themselves and the enemy about them. THE LAST THING they need, is for a preacher, or saints to join in that condemnation.

And trust me, that's what it seems like to them.

Instead, they need to be assured that it doesn't matter what they did, who they are, or what state of mind they are in. Just come back to God, he will make it all right. They need to know the mistakes that backsliders make that hinder them from coming back so they don't fall prey to the same traps.
What you said is true, but it is true of people who are on the way out, not of people who want to come back.
And if we aren't carefull, we can run the ones who want to return, away for good if we use that mindset in attempts to bring them back in.

I'm all for preaching grace ... MBM .... but if we don't understand and see what our condition is under the law and the mirror of God's Word ... we'll never appreciate grace .... we will continue to abuse it.

[meBNme]

Steadfast, I just thought you would like to know, you are in good company.
My pastor, Wayne Huntley preached a message tonight, the title?

"The source of a backsliders sadness"

John 13:17

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

The source of a backsliders sadness, is simply that they KNOW the truth, They know the gospel, they know what is right, and how they should live.

But they aren't doing them.

And that will make you miserable.

Is this not the number one mistake that backsliders make?
They Know they should pray, they know they should be at church every time the doors open. They know they should be seeking after God, reading his word, seeking the approval of God and not men, not gossiping, not being easily offended, living from love not the law, or tradition, etc. etc.

It boils down to the fact that you know what you should be doing, but for whatever reason you are not doing them.

Whether it be deception, carnality, complacency, weakness or whatever.

We had an awesome service, with an altar full of people. Many of which either were acknowledged backsliders, or people who just weren't where they knew they aught to be.

I wish I could say it like he delivered it, and recall all the scriptures, as he obviosly did a far better job than I can convey, but, oh well, I tried.

Just though you would like to know that it appears that God is laying the same burden on other men of God to deliver to his church.

[meBNme]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

I'm all for preaching grace ... MBM .... but if we don't understand and see what our condition is under the law and the mirror of God's Word ... we'll never appreciate grace .... we will continue to abuse it.

True, I'm just pointing out the important differences between those who are on the way out and are in denial, and those realize they have gone, and wish they had never left.

The former are unreachable until they reach the stage of the latter, and at that point they need to be handled with care and not rebuking.


That reminds me of another message my pastor delivered a while back.

"The fifth point on a compass."

Which also happens to be the most important point.

We are all familiar with the four points on a compass. They point to directions. Directions that we should or should not go.

But before we can get our direction, we must know that fifth point.
Where you are.

Only when we realize where we are can we learn what direction we need to take.
A backslider must realize that they are backslidden, and where they stand, only then can they search for the direction that God has for them, only then can they begin their search back to God.

And I agree with you Bro, sometimes at the first stage, it requires tough love, it requires something to shake them and get their attention so they can see.
I am only saying, that often we continue with that tactic, and run them away.
Thats part of the reason why we hear of so many hurting people that want to come back but have been battered, and are now scared to or convinced they cannot come back.
So we need to be sensitive and realize when they have reached that turning point, when they have found that "fifth point on the compas" and want to change. At that point we must be carefull to change tactics, and love, lest they feel condemned and driven away.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by meBNme

So we need to be sensitive and realize when they have reached that turning point, when they have found that "fifth point on the compas" and want to change. At that point we must be carefull to change tactics, and love, lest they feel condemned and driven away.

The fifth point sounds like the place the prodigal son found himself in when he came to his senses.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by philjones

Steadfast,

This may have already been mentioned but many backsliders think they DIED when they backslid instead of just losing their inheritance. It is critical that backsliders know and understand that they are still sons and daughters of God... simply disinherited. They can no more be born again again than a man in the moon. They simply need to come back into right relationship with the father.

I believe in part what you said is true. I believe all backsliders need to know they are sons and daughters of God - still. They are not disinherited by God though...they choose to leave the Father's house...there is a difference.

They must choose to come back to the Father's house and their position as a son or daughter with all the rights and privilges are completely restored. God the Father does not make them do pentance nor take a position of less authority...it is man who puts those conditions on other men...making it nearly impossible for the prodigal's son or daughter to ever truly feel restored. That is where the selfish and jealous son who as never left gets bent out of shape and throws a temper tantrum.

That jealous son or daughter, if they can, will do their best to thwart the purpose of God in the other's life by sabotoguing all the other does in the hopes it makes them look better in their self-righteous pride.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Scott Hutchinson]

Sometimes when folks miss God or fall into sin,they feel condemned and therefore because they feel condemned figure they are too bad to ask God to forgive them,so they stay away from God and His forgiveness.

[nahkoe]

"Why would God forgive me? I KNEW BETTER. Why would He hear me or even want to?"

Yep, been there done that. There is a difference between accepting responsibility and allowing self condemnation (and don't worry, the devil will help if you're not quite hard enough on yourself) to prevent you from seeking God.

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Sometimes when folks miss God or fall into sin,they feel condemned and therefore because they feel condemned figure they are too bad to ask God to forgive them,so they stay away from God and His forgiveness.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Here is the thing ,God is merciful and wants to forgive those who have fallen.
See some folks think of God as an orge with a stick wanting to club everybody over the head and delights in pushing them into a fiery pit,then others view God as a cosmic Santa Claus that just wants to bless you and winks at sin,and to them Grace is a doormat to wipe your feet,both concepts are incorrect.

[AmazingGrace]

Originally Posted by nahkoe

"Why would God forgive me? I KNEW BETTER. Why would He hear me or even want to?"

Yep, been there done that. There is a difference between accepting responsibility and allowing self condemnation (and don't worry, the devil will help if you're not quite hard enough on yourself) to prevent you from seeking God.

Thats the best "football helmet" I could come up with!!!!!