“Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings.” (Jer. 3:22 NKJV)

Backsliding: To revert to bad habits or lapse in religious practice. To slide back, in a figurative sense; apostatize; turn from the faith; depart from or abandon religious principles or practices. To slide back; to fall away; esp. to abandon gradually the faith and practice of a religion that has been professed.

Backsliding doesn’t happen suddenly 

Backsliding happens gradually, little by little. It’s like the old boiling frog story, where the pot containing a frog in cold water is heated up very slowly, one degree after another, and the frog remains in the pot and comfortable until it’s too late and gets cooked. Similarly, Christians must not remain still in their relationship with God without putting in regular effort to “press towards the mark, which is Christ.” (Phil 3:14). 

What you must do to move forward

To move forward and not slide backwards, you must work to strengthen your relationship with God and to remain hot and to not become lukewarm through doing nothing (Rev. 3:16). Charles Spurgeon stated it this way: “The Christian life is very much like climbing a hill of ice. You cannot slide up. You have to cut every step with an ice axe. Only with incessant labor in cutting and chipping can you make any progress. If you want to know how to backslide, leave off going forward. Cease going upward and you will go downward of necessity. You can never stand still.”

If you’re backslidden or lukewarm

If you find yourself in a fallen, lukewarm, or backslidden condition. God offers to restore you. He says, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works...” (Rev. 2:5 NKJV). 

God’s offer, what to do, what to pray, what God does, and the results 

• God’s offer

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isa. 1:18 NLT)

• What to do

“Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’”. (Mal. 3:7 NIV)

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” Acts 3:19 NIV)

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV)

• What to pray 

“For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.” (Psalm 25:11 ESV) 

“…my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!” (Psalm 109:21 ESV)

“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.” (Psalm 51:1 NLT)

• What God does 

“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” (Isa. 43:25 NLT)

• The results

“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 2:14 NLT)

“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isa. 44:22 NIV)

Therefore…

“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”  (Luke 15:7)

Quotes:

“The Christian life is never static. One must either grow in grace, or there will be backsliding and deterioration.” - Henry Ironside

“In every Christian’s Heart, there is a cross and a throne, and the Christian is on the throne till he puts himself on the cross; if he refuses the cross, he remains on the throne. Perhaps this is at the bottom of the backsliding and worldliness among Gospel believers today. We want to be saved, but we insist that Christ do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. We remain king within the little kingdom of man’s soul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a caesar; but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility.” - AW Tozer

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"And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:22–23 NIV)

So, exactly what is glory anyway?

Glory is defined in the dictionary as high renown or honor won by notable achievements. It is fame, prestige, honor, distinction, acclaim.

In the Bible, glory can mean different things depending on its context

• The glory of position: Joseph in Egypt. (Gen. 45:13)

• The glory of possessions: Jacob’s servants and livestock. (Gen. 31:1)

• The glory of young men: is their strength. (Prov. 20:29)

• The glory of the elderly: is their long life. (Prov. 16:31).

• The glory of human character: is willingness to overlook the faults of others (Prov. 19:11), or to avoid strife (Prov. 20:3).

• The Glory of God: His greatness (Deut. 5:24) and hundreds of other verses.

• The Glory of Jesus’ second coming: “The Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (Luke 21:27 NIV)

Why did Jesus share His glory with you?

Jesus said in John 17 that He was sharing his glory with you, and He gave the reason, “That they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

You must reflect His glory!

Because He shares His glory with you, your life must reflect that glory as you go about loving others as He loves you!

“For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6 NIV)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 NIV)

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21 NIV)

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“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” (Isaiah 45:3 NIV)

Wow! “Hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places.” Imagine that!

There have been many stories throughout history about hidden treasures, such as the lost Dutchman’s Goldmine, for one, believed to exist somewhere in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. About 8,000 people a year continue to search for it. Think how exciting it would be to actually find such a thing.

The hidden locations

There is someone who actually knows where all the hidden treasures are, and of course, I'm talking about God Himself. He has that information! And He could tell you where they are located, as our verse at top says. And, sometimes he does. But, that may not be best for you, He knows that too, because for many, riches do cause problems.

Be discerning!

Keep in mind that there are different kinds of riches and treasures and some are much better to be had than others. Ask God for wisdom. 

The deceitfulness of riches

“But the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19 ESV)

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21 NIV)

Heavenly treasures

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal." (Matt. 6:20 NIV)

Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matt. 13:44 NIV)

A good foundation is a treasure

“Storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Tim. 6:19 NIV)

 Wisdom and knowledge are treasures

“That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2-3 NIV)

God’s kind of blessings makes rich without sorrow

“The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Prov. 19:22 ESV)

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“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Eph. 1:7-8)

When I was living in California in the 1950’s, my dad bought a three bedroom house on two acres of land for five-thousand dollars! That was a lot of money for a house back then! But not so much money now. That same place would be worth over a million dollars in today's California housing market. When Susan and I bought our brand new three bedroom home in Washington State in 1971, we paid seventeen-thousand dollars for it. We sold it twelve years later for forty-five thousand. We then bought our present home for fifty-five thousand dollars. We recently had it appraised and it's now worth about four-hundred-fifty thousand dollars!

It amazes me how much prices have changed over the years! Not only houses, but everything else!

The riches of God’s grace - priceless!

Prices of things often fluctuate. They go up and they go down. But, one thing that will never change is “the riches of God’s grace,” (Eph. 1:7). Its value is priceless because it is paid for by the shed blood of God’s Son, Jesus Christ! There is nothing in existence, or has ever existed, more valuable, more precious! And to think, “He made it abound to us in all wisdom and prudence.” (Eph. 1:8).

Think what this means to you!!

No matter what you may have done, “The riches of His grace” has it covered! His grace towards you is above and beyond and it more than covers any possible need!

Exceeding riches of grace!

• “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:7)

• His grace is more than abundant!

  “And the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 1:14)

• The riches of his kindness leads to repentance!

  “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4)

We all fall short and need God's grace!

“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”. (Rom. 3:23 NIV)

Quote:

“I'm not perfect. And who knows how many times I've fallen short. We all fall short. That's the amazing thing about the grace of God.” – Tim Tebow

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“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (John 8:47 ESV) 

The Bible says that God speaks to us

In Jeremiah 33:3 we’re told, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.”  

God speaks to you in more than one way. What? You say you haven’t noticed?

“Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it.“In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds, Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.” (Job 33:14-16 ESV)

God speaks by the Holy Spirit, by His Son, and by His Word

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV)

“As He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me.” (Ez. 2:2 )

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Heb. 1:1-2 ESV)

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Rom. 10:17 ESV)

God sometimes speaks in a still small voice

“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12)

God spoke to me on an airplane

A few years ago I was on my way back from a speaking engagement. I was travel worn and exhausted. Usually, I try to get a seat next to the window, then I put on my noise cancelation headphones to escape mentally from all that is around me. On this trip, however, I was seated in a middle seat between two people. I put on my headphones as usual and started to relax into my private thoughts. But, the man sitting next to me in the aisle seat wasn’t sitting still and was squirming in his seat. I noticed too, that he was ordering one drink after another. I tried to ignore him! I hoped sincerely, that he would’t talk to me, so I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I just didn’t feel like talking to, or being bothered by, anyone!

Then, I heard the Lord gently prompt me, “Speak to that man.” And, I instantly thought, “No! I don’t want to!” I tried to ignore that still small voice and to think about something else. But, I heard it again! “Speak to that man!” So, very reluctantly, I removed my headphones, looked right at the man and said, “How are you doing?” He said, “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I am drinking a lot.” I said, “Well, yes, I did notice that you’ve been slamming them down. What’s up?”

He said, “I have been drinking a whole lot! My wife just left me and is filing for a divorce. I can’t think, I can’t sleep, and I’m about to lose my job because I can’t concentrate on my work anymore. My life is a mess! I need help, but I don’t know where to get it!”

I told Him my story

I said, “Actually, your story is very similar to mine. My life had been messed up, too, and I had also turned to alcohol...”

For the next few minutes, I told him my story as he listened intensely. I told him how I had also struggled with alcohol and had one personal failure after another. Then, I told him how I had prayed to receive Christ and how He had changed my life. I told Him that Jesus loved him, and had died on the cross for him, so that he could come into a personal life-changing relationship with God. Then, I asked him if he would like to receive that for himself. I then offered to pray with him. He said, “Yes, I would like that very much!” So, I prayed with him to receive Christ.”

I was happy that I had finally obeyed God’s gentle prompting!

The Bible commands us to be ready all times to share Christ, to be “instant in season and out of season”. That means all the time! Whether you feel like it or not. 

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim. 4:2)

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

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“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3)

Spiritual blessings

Ephesians 1:3 says that God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing! How wonderful is that! If you want to know what these spiritual blessings are, then read the rest of the chapter where eight of them are listed for you.

• The first spiritual blessing is the election as saints. Eph. 1:4, which says that He has “chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”

• The second spiritual blessing is found in verse 5—our adoption as His children. Not only has God chosen us to be made holy, but He grants us full status as His children, with all the benefits thereof.

• The third spiritual blessing is in verse 6, where we are made “accepted in the beloved.” The word is related to grace and gives the idea of making us favorable through Christ, the beloved of God.

• The fourth spiritual blessing is in verse 7, the redemption through His blood. Redemption speaks of buying one's freedom, paying a ransom. The price for our sins was fully paid by the blood of Christ.

• The fifth spiritual blessing is also found in verse 7, the forgiveness of sins. It is closely related to redemption, but looks at the other side of the coin. In paying the ransom for our sins, the debt of sin was canceled, and we were forgiven. We no longer have the burden of guilt for violating God's holy laws.

• The sixth spiritual blessing is knowing the mystery of His will, verses 8-10. God has given us wisdom and insight through His Word and has shown us His desire to bring all things together to glorify Christ.

• The seventh spiritual blessing, verse 11 says, is the inheritance that is given to us through Christ. What is included in that inheritance? Simply put, everything that Jesus has, you now have as a “joint heir” with Jesus!

• The eighth spiritual blessing is found in verse 13, which is the sealing of the Holy Spirit. When we become God's children, He places His seal of ownership on us, guaranteeing our eternal security. This is spoken of as the down-payment of our full redemption, to hold us until the day Christ brings us to Him.

All these spiritual blessings are for you and have been completely bought and paid for, by the blood of Jesus!

Therefore…

”The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.“ (Prov. 10:22)

”And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.” (Deut. 28:2)

quotes:

”Have you heard God's blessing in your inmost being? Are the words, 'You are my beloved child, in whom I delight' an endless source of joy and strength? Have you sensed, through the Holy Spirit, God speaking to you? That blessing- the blessing through the Spirit that is ours through Christ- is what Jacob received and it is the only remedy against idolatry. Only that blessing makes idols unnecessary. As with Jacob, we usually discover this only after a life of 'looking for blessings in all the wrong places.' It often takes an experience of crippling weakness for us to finally discover it. That is why so many of the most God-blessed people limp as they dance for joy.“ - Tim Keller

”However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts.“ - John Calvin

”God bestows His blessings without discrimination. The followers of Jesus are children of God, and they should manifest the family likeness by doing good to all, even to those who deserve the opposite.“ - F.F. Bruce

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“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (John 1:5 ESV) 

Benefits of Light: It allows you to see, it gives warmth, it gives energy, it leads to higher productivity, it improves your mood, it Inspires, it reflects, it drives out darkness, it brightens, it is Necessary for life.

The Bible teaches clearly that there is a relationship between life and light. Life always follows light, and only light can bring forth life.

“With thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.” (Psalm 36:9 KJV) 

Jesus is the light of life

Just as living things need light from the sun to thrive and grow, followers of Jesus Christ need the light of God to bring His life into us. Our first experience of God’s light was when we heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and His light penetrated our darkness. We believed in the resurrected Jesus and what He did for us, and we received Him as our Savior. 

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)

Benefits of shining God’s Light

•  It glorifies God – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16 NIV)

• It adds value to others – “They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world’.” - (John 4:42 NIV)

•  It ensures you are making wise use of the time – “Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:14-16)

• It exposes evil works of darkness – “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph. 5:11 NIV)

• It gives assurance of both earthly and a heavenly reward  – “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.” (Rev. 22:12 NLT)

Therefore…

”But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

Quote

”We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.”- Dwight L. Moody

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.” - Thomas Fuller

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“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 ESV)

The above passage talks about dwelling in the shelter of God’s Almighty shadow. It’s a picture of the perfect security and rest that can be had through dwelling in the presence of God (see definition below). Unfortunately, many Christians miss out on these dwelling benefits because they don’t dwell in God’s presence, they only visit there. 

Dwell  – abide, inhabit, remain, stay, exist, reside, hole up, continue, lodge, nest, occupy, park, perch, quarter, rest, roost, settle, sojourn, stop, tarry, tenant, tent. 

God dwells

“God "dwells in light" (1 Timothy 6:16; 1 John 1:7), in heaven (Psalms 123:1), in his church ( Psalms 9:11; 1 John 4:12). Christ dwelt on earth in the days of his humiliation (John 1:14). He now dwells in the hearts of his people (Ephesians 3:17-19). The Holy Spirit dwells in believers (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Tim  1:14). We are exhorted to "let the word of God dwell in us richly" (Colossians 3:16; Psalms 119:11).

 When you make God your dwelling place

“Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.” (Psalms 91:9-10 ESV)

“Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.” (Psalm 140:13 ESV)

 You will have perfect peace

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” (Isa. 26:3 NKJV)

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Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Rom. 12:11-12 NIV)

Zeal and Fervor

The above verse uses two words, zeal and fervor, to describe how your relationship with the Lord should be. According to the dictionary, “zeal” is defined as great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective; and “Fervor” is defined as intense and passionate feeling, eagerness, enthusiasm, fire. 

Are you lacking in zeal and fervor?

Many people are excited and even on fire for God when they first get saved. But, over time they cool off, lose their fresh enthusiasm for the Lord, and even fall away. Jesus spoke about this in Rev. 2:3-4, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”

How to know you have left your first love

1. Your heart toward Christ is cold and indifferent; not tender as it once was, not easily moved by the Word, talk of spiritual things, etc.

2. You can go hours or days without having more than a passing thought of Him.

3. “Little” things that used to disturb your conscience, no longer do.

4. Private prayer and worship are almost non-existent, cold and dry.

5. Your service for Christ and others is motivated by a sense of duty or obligation.

6. You spend more time and effort on your physical appearance than on cultivating inner spiritual beauty to please Christ.

7. You are more concerned about what others think and pleasing them, than about pleasing Christ.

8. You prefer secular songs, movies, and books more than songs or reading material that point you to Christ.

9. You prefer the company of people who don’t love Christ, to the company and fellowship of those who do.

Jesus said what to do

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” (Rev. 2:5)

In the above passage, He said to do three things:

• Remember from where you have fallen. Think back to when you had first received Christ. Remember the details of what first brought you to Him, what you prayed, and how your life was changed.

• Repent. The word “repent” means to turn around, change direction, or to turn away from something. So, make a sincere decision to turn back to God with your whole heart.

• Do the works you did at first. Go back to doing the things you did at first. Those things were probably basic, such as praying, reading your Bible, going to church, singing worship songs, and sharing your faith.

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty.” (Zech. 1:3)

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