Backsliding Christians

Have you ever temporarily lapsed into unbelief and sin after you became a Christian? The condition of backsliding results from spiritual apathy or disregard for the truth of God’s Word. It results in a departure from a winsome confession of faith and Biblical ethical standards. Actions are affected by our attitudes toward God and His Word.

Jesus said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

Backsliding is different from apostasy, which spurns the grace of God by renouncing the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-31). When a person renounces his faith in Christ that person was never a true child of God, and never was among the elect of God (John 3:18-21, 36; 5:24-29).

On the other hand, the elect individual, regenerated by the Holy Spirit, justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and redeemed by God has been delivered once-for-all from the bondage of sin. Backsliding is not a “fall from grace” in the sense that a Christian once saved by grace can lose his eternal life in Christ. He is God’s child forever, and He has placed His life in the believing sinner.

There were times when the disciples of Jesus withdrew from fellowship with the Lord (Matt. 26:56), Peter denied Christ (26:69-75), Corinthian believers lived in sin (2 Cor. 12:20-21), the Church in Asia became lukewarm (Rev. 2:4, 14-15, 20), etc.

The people of Israel serve as an example for Christians today. We are exhorted to persevere in righteousness and doing the will of God. Israel forsook her covenant with the LORD God (Jer. 2:19; 8:5; 14:7), and demonstrated her unfaithfulness by disobeying God.

In the New Testament backsliding is viewed as an individual problem, although it is possible for churches to become backslidden, too.

Why do Christians become backslidden? We all still possess the old nature that is “corrupt through deceitful lusts” (Eph. 4:22; Rom. 7:13-24; 1 Cor. 3:1-3). Lack of continuous fellowship by “abiding” in Christ results in a lack of spiritual vitality and ineffective Christian service (Jn. 15:4-8). There is no other way to live the Christian life except by maintaining an intimate fellowship with our Lord. If we do not maintain that vital contact with Him we cannot sustain spiritual growth and effectively minister in His name.

Unbelief (Heb. 3:12), bitterness (12:15), love for the world (2 Tim. 4:10), love for money (1 Tim. 6:10), adherence to worldly philosophy (Col. 2:8), legalism (Gal. 3:1; 1:6; 5:7), indifference and spiritual coldness (Rev. 2:4; 3:16) are other causes for backsliding.

Backsliding grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), and it displeases our Lord (Heb. 10:38). There are natural consequences that follow this sin (Lev. 26:18-25).

How can we prevent backsliding in our spiritual life? It is essential that we “abide” in Christ (Jn. 15:4-7), remain spiritually alert (Eph. 6:18), put on the full armor of God (v. 10), be prayerful (1 Thess. 5:17), etc. Seek to love the Lord God with all your mind, heart and personal being every day.

We can thank God that He patiently perseveres with His saints. Just as we are to persevere in doing His will, we can be thankful that He has made a wonderful covenant with us in the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. The grace of perseverance is one of the great benefits of the atoning death of Jesus Christ for our sins. The solution for backsliding is found in the abiding love and mercy of our God of grace who remains faithful to His promises.

Backsliding is serious business. Martin Luther well said, “The offenses given within the church are greater than those given among the heathen because when Christians degenerate, they are more godless than the heathen.”

We have a choice. We can progress or regress in our Christian life. We have a great responsibility in how we choose to live the Christian life. God is able to strengthen and progressively sanctify the Christian if we cooperate with Him (Heb. 3:12; Phil. 3:10-16).

The promise to every backsliding Christian is to, “Return to Me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 3:7). Acknowledge your sin, turn from it, trust in the Lord for forgiveness and ask the Holy Spirit to take control of your mind, heart and daily life. Jesus says, “Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent” (Rev. 2:5).

It is reassuring that the Bible clearly teaches that the truly spiritual regenerate can never be lost. We are his forever children. Once his child by the new birth, always his child. However we can lose our fellowship with God and our effectiveness in Christian service. The God of all grace has provided a bar of soap; let’s use it often (1 John 1:6-10; 2:2).

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006 Anyone is free to use this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author’s written consent.

SELAH! Pause – reflect- just think of that!

Why Do You See so Many

 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18 The Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

This pretty much is verified by all the sexual diseases so prevalent today.

You see it repeated through out history.

Every time a society becomes sexually promiscuous it is rewarded with syphilis and gonorrhea. Today we have the added one of AIDS.

Why do you think so much of this is in the homosexual society. They prove they are fools because they know of these diseases and not only do they participate in them, they do so with not using any protection. It is like they are begging to become infected and then cry baby because they are infected.

Why do you see so many porn stars getting infected with syphilis or gonorrhea?

Why do you see so many who have one night stands getting infected with syphilis or gonorrhea?

Sexual promiscuity may look cool on TV or in the movies but there is a price to pay for abusing your body. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Tsuri (Psalms 19:14 O LORD My Strength ) for blessing me with the wisdom and strength to sprint away from sexual promiscuous living, especially, when I was young and the horny mons were exceedingly strong.

I praise You in the name of the purest of all, Jesus Christ. Amen

May you be blessed with the gift of love, the gift of peace, the gift of joy. May you be blessed with numerous opportunities to share these gifts with others today.   Joseph a son of Jehovah

This article and photo @ 2020 Joseph a son of Jehovah. All rights reserved. Used only by permission of the author.

A Continuous War.

 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 Holy Bible New Living Translation

As Christians we are in a continuous war.

There is of course, war with those that are liberal minded (if it feels good do it, there is no absolute right or wrong, there is no God).

There is the constant was against demons who relish nothing more than destroying our loving relationship with Jehovah, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

But, the most brutal of all wars is raged in our hearts and minds.

Thoughts of lust, greed, anger, fear and worry are our ever present foes.

That is why it is so important to be in continuous prayer.

When these thoughts and emotions enter our minds and hearts we are to immediately call out to Jehovah to send the Holy Spirit to sweep these thoughts from us like you sweep dirt out of a house.

Then, to fill our house with the sweet fragrance of love, joy and gratitude to our loving Father Jehovah our precious Savior Jesus Christ and our strong Deliverer the Holy Spirit.

“Who sits in solitude and is quiet has escaped from three wars: hearing, speaking, seeing; yet against one thing shall he continually battle: that is, his own heart.”  St. Antony

Prayer: Thank you Jesus Gibbor Milchamah (Psalms 24:8 The LORD Mighty In Battle) for blessing me with the weapons required on a daily basis for the continual battle in my mind and heart. Thank you that through Your strength and wisdom victory is guaranteed. Thank you that when I lose a battle and call out to You, You sooth my soul while blessing me with healing balm for my heart. You are such a wonderful Warrior King. I praise You in Your majestic name. Amen

Wishing you a house full of sunshine, hearts full of cheer and love that grows deeper each day of the year. Welsh blessing

Article and photo @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2020

Who may ascend onto the mountain of the Lord?

And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart,Who has not lifted up his soul to what is false, Nor has sworn [oaths] deceitfully. Psalm 24:3-4   Holy Bible Amplified Version                                                                            

The mountain was the meeting place with Jehovah.

If we desire an intimate relationship with Him, when we come to Him in prayer it is necessary for us to not be worshiping anything or anyone else other that Him.

We need to have integrity in our lives. It is necessary that our hands are clean. That is, that we have dealt honestly with everyone and not been deceitful.

Our hearts are to be pure. That means that we are not thinking about fleshly lust or revenge or being arrogant towards others.

To lift up our soul falsely means that we are not to gossip (which is spreading lies about others and spreading rumours, which can hurt or destroy others) and are not to give false testimony about others which will hurt them in court or in relationships.

To swear an oath in deceit means that we make promises that we have no intention of keeping. That is a form of lying. All of these things are detestable to Jehovah.

What right do you have to come to the temple of Jehovah when you are practicing the rituals of satan? Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord is Righteousness) for teaching me and helping me to be righteous enough to enter into You most Holy Tabernacle (we have our own which is a great story). I love spending time with You more than anything else in this world and look forward to spending eternity with You. Thank you for convicting me of any offences and the proper manner in which to repent of them. I praise You in the name of He whose blood opened the door to our Tabernacle Jesus Christ. Amen

Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings you joy, may you be blessed with an abundance of it this every day this year.

The Longer You Delay.

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts and passions. Romans 6:12 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Being a gardener I know full well that when a tree see becomes a twig you pull it out immediately. Otherwise, with some tree’s it is almost impossible to remove.

So too it is with sin.

The longer you dwell in the sewer of sin, the more it seeps into the pours of your body and spirit. This is a slow physical and spiritual death.

Now some say I will sin when I am young and sow me wild seeds. Then, I will repent when I get older. They are living a fools dream. I have witnessed a small seed not only germinate in a soul but also this leads to others sins and more and more sins until it completely consumes the man or woman. Just listen to a drug addict and most will share with you how it started out small and was fun. Then it became a cruel slave master. The slave master brought with him other slave masters who were just as unmerciful (more addictions). It becomes a living Hell. It amazes me that most drug addicts prefer this Hell rather than become clean (which is why all the free drug clinics are useless unless the addicted want help).

Almost all of my habitual sins began small and over time became deep rooted in my per sona. It took some serious and painful burning off of the dross by the Holy Spirit to cleanse me of them. We need to be constantly attentive to the Holy Spirits guidance in our lives to avoid these destructive temptations every day.

There are still a few that Jehovah allows to keep me humble and keep me reliant upon Him instead of myself.

“The longer you delay, the more your sin gets strength and rooting. If you cannot bend a twig, how will you be able to bend it when it is a tree?” — Richard Baxter

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Mephalti (The Lord my Deliverer) for sending the Holy Spirit to help deliver me from poisonous sins which will destroy the Holy Spirit with in me if they are permitted to take root. I praise You in the name of He who yanked out the worlds sins with His blood Jesus Christ. Amen.

Wishing you a house full of sunshine, hearts full of cheer and love that grows deeper each day of the year. Welsh blessing

True Christian Love Must Be

 

The one who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. [He is the originator of love, and it is an enduring attribute of His nature.] 1 John 4:8 The Holy Bible, Amplified Version

True Christian love must be . . .

Blended with all our habits. A habit is formed by repetition of actions over time until they become as natural to us as breathing. Therefore we need the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily actions to habitually exhibit Christ’s love towards others at every opportune time that comes our way.

Diffused through all our conduct. Our conduct will be a spiritual by product of our habits.

Forming our character. Our character is formed by the the Divine will and attributes of Christ who has shown us what Holy character is by His actions.

It is His morals which is formed in or hearts , minds and actions not the perverted vile worldly ones. His is to be supreme in every action we partake every moment of every day. We can only succeed in this arduous undertaking through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to which we must constantly submit to whether it is delightful or difficult. Breathing in our desires.

Christian desire is for the the glorifying of Christ and the betterment of those around us with the ultimate goal of leading them into Jehovahs Holy family.

Speaking in our words. Loves words are encouraging, healing, teaching and comforting. The only way we can attain this is by constantly requesting the Holy Spirit guide our words and obeying His direction of speech in each individual circumstance.

Beaming in our eyes. Christian love must have gentle love in our eyes not earthly lusts nor hatred of prejudice towards others Love is the most difficult action we undertake every day.

Yet, it is also Divine in its nature and Heavenly in its rewards. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Please Jehovah Heseh (God is love) please bless me with an abundance of Divine love to bountifully share with others so as to emulate You. May this love direct them unto the greatest love, You which is one of the greatest gifts You may bless me with. I humbly beseech Thee in the name of He whose infinite love for me took Him all the way to the cross Jesus Christ. Amen

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

It Comes Naturally.

 “The heart is deceitful above all things And it is extremely sick; Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives? Jeremiah 17;9 The Holy Bible, Amplified Version

Folks see these mass murders, war, rape, unrestrained lust for both sexual pleasure as well as sensual like clothes cars and such. They see disrespect, greed, ungratefulness, lying, manipulating, conniving and deceitfulness. They see wanton destruction of nature, societies and families. They shake their heads and wonder where it come from.

It comes naturally.

Folks try all kinds of remedies which naturally fail, especially from what I see in “safe injection sites” (it is supposed to be a safe place for junkies it get their”fix” but ends up destroying the surrounding neighbourhoods with used needles on their lawns and in playgrounds. They have to endure these stoned creatures walking around their neighbourhoods like raving lunatics. I have seen it in more than one city and it destroys the downtown core which is made up of mostly small business.).

What is needed is not the natural but the super natural power that only comes from Jehovah. We need Him in our personal lives, family lives and societal lives.

Every society down through out the ages that has moved away from Jehovah has moved towards its own self destruction. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Please YAHWEH-Ropheka :God our healer always administer Thy Holy medicine in generous proportion in my mind, spirit and body to remain pure unto Thee. May this healing balm gush forth from me unto the sick in this dark world and guide them to the Supreme Divine Healer, You. I humbly request this in the name of the greatest Healer to ever walk this earth Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love fill your heart today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

What kind of a Runner are You?

                                              

Run away from youthful lusts—pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those [believers] who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 Holy Bible Amplified Version

What kind of a runner are you?

Do you run as fast to your Bible as you do to porno sites on line?

Would you drink from a septic tank?

Why not?

Well just as the feces in the septic tank will make your body sick, so too will porno sites pollute your mind (and before you women go pointing fingers at us men like we are pigs, there is a large majority of women that watch that filth as well).

When we are youths we are inexperienced and easy prey for the alluring lies of satan.

That is why we need mature Christians to guide us away from the destruction fantasies (once you fall for satan you will quickly find out it is no fun but many times pure living Hell, just ask any junkie).

Now notice I said mature and not older. Someone can be older in years but very immature in their walk with Christ. Their advice is useless and indeed many times very disastrous.

It is the duty of us older Christians to warn those who are young in their walk with Christ when they are fallowing the wrong path. Be patient with them as Christ is patient with you. Be firm with them as Christ is firm with you. Be respectful with them just as Christ is with you (that includes allowing them to fall into the temptation if that is their choice but to welcome them back if they repent).

Satans temptations always lead to destruction. That is why we need mature Christians to guide us away from them. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Prayer: Thank you Jehovah Ganan (The Lord is Our Defense) for Your Divine intercession when satan temps me with destructive lusts. Thank you for Your providence in bringing mature Christians to counsel me when I foolishly begin to stray. I praise You in the name of He who resisted satans temptations in the wilderness Jesus Christ. Amen

May the sunshine of Jesus’ sweet love fill your heart today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah

Why Don’t They

For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honour [being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane], not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God and are ignorant of His will. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Most popular TV shows and movies glorify sex out as something lustful and fun. Why don’t they show those same people going to the doctor to get treated for syphilis, gonorrhea and aids?

Why don’t they show an unborn baby being ripped from its mothers womb and being thrown into an incinerator like a piece of garbage?

Why don’t they show most children born out of wed lock join gangs and lead destructive lives?

Why don’t they show the affected one with sexual disease explain to family and friends they have a life destroying disease because of their poor choices?

Why don’t they show people laying in bed afterwards wondering how it feel that someone just used your body to satisfy their lust and how they feel empty, sad and used?

Why don’t they show young people who lose out on going to school, getting a good education and job being cast into the abyss of welfare, booze, drugs and a meaningless life?

Could it be because sex sells while responsible, respectful, loving relationships do not?

Could it be because most people do not want to think of the life altering consequences of their foolishness?

Prayer: Please Jehovah Bara (The Lord Creator) forgive the arrogant who blatantly give You the finger by abusing their bodies and then blaming You when it comes time to pay the penalty. I humbly ask this in the name of the greatest Teacher who was ignored Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.

A Bag with Holes in It.

 “Is it time for you yourselves to live in your [expensive] paneled houses while this house [of the Lord] lies in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “Consider your ways and thoughtfully reflect on your conduct! You have planted much, but you harvest little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have enough to be intoxicated; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns wages earns them just to put them in a bag with holes in it [because God has withheld His blessing].” Haggai 1:3-6 Holy Bible Amplified Version

Do you have a bag with holes in it ( instead of bag insert wallet )?

Could it be because you are so selfish that you earn a penny and spend a dollar ( on yourself of course)? So when you refuse to share your wealth Jehovah allow the devil to tempt you into getting into dept to satisfy your unquenchable desire for more, more, more. Then you are miserable.

Could it be that you plant a lot of seeds to be friends with others while neglecting the crop of daily interaction with Jehovah so you harvest a little from your relationship with Him?

Could it be that in your quest for recognition form others ( self-centeredness- look at me, look at me) that you never get enough and go to foolish and many times dangerous lengths to get noticed by others instead of directing them to Jehovah? As a consequence you are never satisfied. Instead of nurturing a loving relationship with Jehovah you nurture your own ego and as a result you are cold with little or no love in your life. As a result the temple of Jehovah that resides within you is in ruins.

Prayer: I humbly pray my loving Jehovah Helech ‘Olam (The Lord our King Forever) that You daily guide this modest servant of Your to constantly build upon and glorify Your Holy Temple so that it is a beacon to those walking in the cold dark world to You amazing Temple. I sincerely request this in the name of He who shines the most brilliantly of Your holy temple Jesus Christ. Amen.

May the gentle assurance of Jesus’ sweet love encompass you today and every day.