Introduction
We are discussing backsliding, falling away, departure.
It’s very serious and dangerous. Preventing backsliding, examining ourselves. Have we ever fallen into neglect? Sloth? Do we have a constant joy and peace in our walk with Christ? Or we often uneasy, questioning our faith?
Do we make decisions with prayer or God in mind? Is it Wordly or Worldly? Mind of Christ or mind of man?
Proverbs 4:23-26 (NKJV) 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it [spring] the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.
“Fast food” worship service. Your in, your out, you go about your business for the week without a thought of God.
1 – open the vault if the knowledge of the riches of Christ
Penny Green was a millionaire but lived like a popper. She did not heat her house in the winter. She wore one single black dress. She traveled in cheap hotels to avoid taxes. She died of a stroke. In spite of all her treasure, she is in the Guinness book of world records.
Christians often live like this where we don’t live in the richness of Christ. Spiritual blessings and treasures. Being united with Him in His death and resurrection. Applying them by faith and in love. The apostle Paul faced many dangers to get the treasure of the gospel out.
Colossians 2:1-3 (NKJV) 1 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and [for] as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and [attaining] to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Learn Christ to overcome backsliding. Learn Christ and His Word. Renew your mind. Learn of His eternal love, His sanctification and renewal through His Spirit. His ascension above all. The only savior and mediator. All the riches and glory of Christ. Spend this wealth by applying it.
1 Peter 2:1-2 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
The word helps with our spiritual growth.
Eph 3:13-19
2 – stop committing adultery with the world
James 4. Give all your love to God not the world. 1 John 2:15 if we love the world the love of the Father is not in us. Resist worldly arrogance. Resist the devil. Repent of our sin in all humility.
Isaiah 66:2 (NKJV) For all those [things] My hand has made, And all those [things] exist,” Says the LORD. “But on this [one] will I look: On [him who is] poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.
You can’t follow the Word if you don’t read it. Tremble before it. We must get it correct, humble ourselves. Forsake the world. God said Moses was the most humble man on earth. Consider the company we keep, the information we take in. Are we spending enough time in the word? Don’t flirt with the world.
Psalm 51:10 (NKJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Is God our supreme love? Love is what God says it is, not what we say it is. Rev 2 the church at Ephesus needed to return to their first love.
3 – run away from all temptation
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God [is] faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear [it.]
Temptations you face and will face are serious but we can bear them in Christ. We can escape or we can endure.
God is with us. We are one with Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:14 (NKJV) Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
2 Timothy 2:19 (NKJV) Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
2 Timothy 2:22 (NKJV) Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
4 – beat your body black and blue (spiritually)
1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV) But I discipline my body and bring [it] into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
Stop flirting with the world and return to our first love.
James 4:4-10 (NKJV) 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and [your] joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.