Backsliding?

Have you ever been guilty of ‘backsliding?’  It is exactly as it sounds, sliding backwards from some higher goal.  For example, I’ve backslidden on a dozen diets! With determination to shed that 20 pounds, I eliminate cakes, ice cream, and potato chips from my menu. I do my daily walk faithfully … for a couple of weeks. You know how it goes.  More seriously, there have been habits I know are not consistent with my love for God. In some moment of conviction, I swear that I will change; and I do…  for a few days or weeks. Alas, I confess that sometimes I slide back into the old ways. What then? Must I live in guilty fear, ashamed, loving God, but from a distance?

Let’s learn from an old story of amazing love! The Lord pled with His people to return to Him. “I thought to myself, ‘I would love to treat you as my own children!’ I wanted nothing more than to give you this beautiful land— the finest possession in the world. I looked forward to your calling me ‘Father,’ and I wanted you never to turn from me.
But you have been unfaithful to me, you people of Israel! You have been like a faithless wife who leaves her husband. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

Voices are heard high on the windswept mountains, the weeping and pleading of Israel’s people. For they have chosen crooked paths and have forgotten the Lord their God. “My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” “Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, “for you are the Lord our God." (Jeremiah 3:19-22, NLT)  

Again that final thought- “Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.” “Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God." (Jeremiah 3:22, NIV)

Spiritual fidelity cannot be sustained with raw determination or even behavior modification techniques. Every natural impulse tells us to get our act together and then to come and present ourselves to God. But, that is wrong. We bring our mess, our sin, our guilt, our shame to Him!  Yes, that is the way to be cured of backsliding. The Cross of Christ does not offer grace to the whole and holy. There God opened the way into His holy presence for sinners, even for backsliders. John’s familiar words are often addressed as though they were an invitation to those outside of the faith, but a closer reading shows them to be words for Believers, wonderful words of promise.

"If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. I write this, dear children, to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus. When he served as a sacrifice for our sins, he solved the sin problem for good—not only ours, but the whole world’s." (1 John 1:8-2:2, The Message)

To whom does John write?  “We” meaning himself and those in the Church that would read his letter. It’s an offer to backsliders! “Come home. Own your failure.”  In that response of faith, the Spirit is given access to lead us forward. It’s so counter-intuitive to the way we normally attempt change, which is focused on trying harder. The Lord not only forgives, He coaches us into maturity and intimate love.  

Do not misunderstand. Our backsliding has consequence and invites the Lord’s judgment. One only has to read the prophecies of Jeremiah to know that sin brings judgment. However, He is a gracious God, who loves us.  "God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me— The very thing you’ve been unwilling to do." (Isaiah 30:15, The Message)

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Just as I am, without one plea

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou biddest me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,

Wilt welcome pardon cleanse relieve.

Because Thy promise I believe,

O Lamb of God I come I come.

Just As I Am

Elliott, Charlotte / Bradbury, William B.

© Public Domain