Getting RIGHT with GOD: How to RETURN TO GOD after BACKSLIDING
God doesn't condemn and discard Christians who backslide. Understand His thoughts concerning this and learn how to return to God after backsliding.
I believe that at a certain point, every Christian backsides. No genuine Christian will say that they've never backslided, but the challenge often lies in getting back to God after backsliding. In today's teaching, we will learn how to get right with GOD after backsliding.
The path of the Christian journey is not perfect. It's not easy. It's filled with thorns, hurdles, tribulations and trials.
The path to God is full of temptations. There are diverse forces that act on a Christian to draw them backwards, even while they do their best to go forward in their quest for more of God.
Our Lord Jesus made it clear to us that the road is not a bed of roses:
Matthew 7:14 NKJVBecause narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
There will definitely be times when a Christian backslides. And backsliding comes in different forms. It could be in form of falling into sin, becoming more carnal, becoming less prayerful, or totally avoiding spiritual things.
No Christian is infallible. Even the most spiritual Christian had backslid at least once or twice in their walk with God. I'm yet to hear of a Christian who has never backslided.
Backsliding isn't the worst that can happen to a Christian. The worst that can happen is refusing to return to God after backsliding.
What Causes Backsliding
I can readily point out two major causes of backsliding as follows:
- Lack of self-discipline
- Living a devotionless life
Without self-discipline a Christian will gladly embrace temptation instead of overcoming it. Even a Spirit-filled Believer still has the ability to compromise if they want to. The Holy Spirit won't stop anyone from sinning if they choose to do so.
David had such a powerful walk with God but still went on to sin against God with Bathsheba, because it was what he chose to do. Without self-discipline, backsliding is unavoidable.
Again, when a Christian intentionally neglects their daily spiritual disciplines such as prayer, word study etc, backsliding becomes inevitable.
Return To Me And I Will Return To You
Malachi 3:7 KJVEven from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
Man is unstable, but God is faithful. The Lord doesn't discard us when we backslide. He is always waiting with arms wide open to welcome us back into His bosom.
When the prodigal son made the decision to return to his father, he thought his father was going to reject him, but to his surprise, the father was already awaiting his return.
Luke 15:22-24 KJVBut the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: [23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: [24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
God is merciful. Understand that each day He wakes you up is another chance given to you to get back to Him. Make haste and get right with God while the door of mercy is still open!
It is okay to show remorse when one backslides. Godly sorrow brings repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). But one must avoid self-condemnation, as this is often from the enemy. The enemy wants a situation whereby the backsliden Christian can condemn and hate themselves to the extent they decide not to return to God.
Once a person slides into the state of apostasy, it becomes almost impossible to redeem them. Therefore, it is wise for the backsliden Christian to avoid self-condemnation and return to God as soon as possible. The Lord doesn't condemn the backsliden, He is always waiting for their return.
How To Reconnect With God After Backsliding
Revelation 2:4-5 KJVNevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. [5] Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
How can I reconnect with God? Here's the key to reconnecting with God: do the first works. Get back to doing those things which you used to do that made God happy. The very things that made you a fireful Christian, get back to doing them. Pick up from where you stopped in your relationship with God.
Benefits of Returning To God
- When a Christian backslides, they become a laughing stock to the kingdom of darkness. The enemy can reach out to touch them whenever he wants. But when they return to God, all of these come to a halt.
- Returning to God gets a Christian back under God's protection.
- Retuning to God brings restoration and blessings. The enemy has the opportunity to steal from a Christian and make their life miserable when they backslide. But all of these can be brought to a halt by retuning to God. Restoration and blessings will follow.
- There is the possibility of experiencing a better Christian life and relationship with Jesus after returning to God.
- You will be able to guide other Christians from backsliding and encourage those who backslide to return to God.
- Overall, Heaven will celebrate your return to God.
Prayer To Return To God
- Go ahead and talk to God, He is your Father.
- The Christian who backslides knows in what way exactly they did that. So personalise and fashion your prayer accordingly.
- Repent. Ask the Lord for forgiveness.
- Make up your mind to do better and say it out as a promise to God. Do your best to keep the promise.
Final Thoughts On Returning To God After Backsliding
The great mistake which Adam and Eve made when they fell from Grace was running and hiding from God. A Christian should never opt for this approach if they happen to backslide.
The enemy is always on the look out to claim ownership over those who backslide and refuse to return to God. It's unsafe out there—outside of God. Always get back to God fast and get under His protection.
We are in the last days. Time is too short to backslide and remain backsliden. Arise and rise above everything that keeps holding you down, to do what God wants you to do.
Remain blessed.