This is a tricky subject. I’m glad you talked about not rushing to judgment. Even though I feel secure in Christ, I still got chills listening to this. I struggled for a long time with the idea that if I’d truly been converted, I’d be perfect and never sin again.
Not dead to God, only removed by choices, by your own feet...ie; the prodigal son...you are "born again of incorruptible SEED, by the Word of God , which liveth and abideth forever"....you came back home, just like I did and I could just about guarantee I was the worst of the two of us. Don't give up. God bless you as you walk with Christ.
@@chad9455 so according to *my understanding of the prodigal son parable, it internally ( at face value ) isn't about being saved or not being saved, regarding the topic of Salvation, it really is about returning to the loving father, who will gladly accept you and rejoice at your turning back to him, which when interpreted in its symbolic bigger picture, means the same thing but on the scale of us ( me and you/believers everywhere ) turning back to our Heavenly Father who loves us, when we have forsaken Him and turned from Him, then come back to Him, and with all this said I don't think in any way that the prodigal son of the parable was indicated to be saved or unsaved, which wasn't really the main idea of the parable anyway; it's a bit confusing with the way I described it, and I don't know if I made my point clear, but do you understand what I mean? Love from me and the Father, and Grace and Peace from the Lord be with you ❤
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is basically the embodiment of a backslider, if you think about it. The Parable speaks of the son that leaves his father, goes out and squanders all he'd been given, and then, when he's truly broken, out of money, he comes crawling back to his father who lovingly accepts him to the chagrin of the brother who had been there all along, kinda like how churchgoers like to judge backsliders. It fits pretty well.
I think this describes me. I'm going to tell my story, and I hope it'll help someone. It's long. If you want to read it, read all of it. I used to be watching pornography. Five years ago I cried out to God for Him to save me, and after that I just felt a peace that I never felt before. That was on new year's eve 2017. During the year 2018 I was completely free from porn. I increasingly had a desire for righteousness and to be a light in the world. I failed alot at that tho. And I never shared my faith because of social anxiety, even tho I did desire to do so at the time, this is still a problem today and it kills me. So, we're getting to fall 2018. At this point I promised God to give up video games, something I always loved doing and did alot (these were not sinful games in any way, mainly simulators), out of joy in my heart because I noticed it was taking too much of my time. By the end of the year I started worrying about a health issue I'd dealt with before I was saved. It was not a very serious issue, but the doctors didn't find anything because it's an intermittent issue. It worried me because it could decrease testosterone levels (I self-diagnosed at this point, later confirmed by a doctor). I prayed to God to take it away lots of times, but in His wisdom He didn't. The worry got progressively worse in the next year (2019) to the point of distrusting God so much that I was borderline suicidal and depressed. There were other issues as well, that I won't go into detail about. So my faith started wavering. I got back into video games. I had no zeal for God. Now it's fall 2019. At this time I fell back into pornography. Not to the extent it used to be, I see God's hand in that. But nevertheless, I did fall into it. It was horrible. I asked God for forgiveness, but I never had the peace I once felt. I do want to point out that this was the only time I ever relapsed into it, praise God for that. At the end of the year I finally had surgery after getting a right diagnosis. I thought this surgery was going to solve everything. Yeah. How foolish I was to ever think that. The surgery was successful. The next two years (2020-2021) I spent in a weird state of mind. The worry for the illness was exchanged for the worry of it's recurrence. I was, besides work, pretty much just playing video games, while occasionally reading devotionals and rarely the Word. It wasn't like I didn't believe in God anymore, but I was very lukewarm. At the start of 2021, my new year's resolution was to completely stop masturbating, something I was free from a few months in 2018, but in 2019 that came back too, which also made things worse because of the guilt. I failed in that too and during 2021 I kept struggling. Sometimes having a few weeks or months of victory, but not completely. In the fall of 2021 I started to have conviction about video games. I asked God if He didn't want me to play them anymore that He would take away my desire for it. And He did. At the turn of that year I quit video games. Something I didn't think I was ever able to do. And on my own, I couldn't have. In the spring of 2022, God took away the worry about the 'illness'. Also then I started to fear I had committed the sin against the Holy Spirit, and I believe that that was the final kick God used to bring me back to Him. I realized in that season that I couldn't live without Him. After that I started reading my Bible again. In the year 2022 I also found a new hobby, reading books. At that moment I was planning to collect hundreds of books and I also started to have fears for them. Then a scripture hit me: 'Do not collect yourselves treasures on earth, where thieves steal, and moth and rust destroy' Matth 6:19. I didn't like it of course since I loved books. After that I didn't buy fiction books anymore and I started to buy and read theology books. At the time I viewed it as a gift from God. Sadly there was some pride with the idea of 'reading theology', I hate that. Now I have the feeling I shouldn't read paper books at all and only read digitally (something I dislike), which ties in with the present day. I went on and off for the last couple of months feeling guilty. Sometimes thinking, if I don't give up all paper books it proves I don't really love God. And then at other times I see a Bible scholar or pastor on TH-cam in a room full of books and I think, it's not a sin. Then I determined not to buy any new ones and I submitted my life to God and I asked Him if He would take away my books if that would be His will. Now, the last couple of days the past is catching up with me. Not the pre-saved past because I consider that the time I was dead. But the time period 2019-2021. Looking back I see so little fruit during that time period that it makes me scared. I'm starting to think that my conversion was fake after all. I asked for forgiveness for those years, but it haunts me. How is it possible for a believer to be a dry fig tree for 3 years? I'll stop here, since this is today. Anyone who came this far, thank you for sticking trough reading my life story. I've never opened up any of this to anyone, and now I'm doing it online. Feels strange but sorta relieving too. Please pray for me that I may bear much fruit. If I have a warning it is this: Never doubt God's goodness when you get sick or bad things happen. Keep drawing near to Him. Nothing, and I repeat, nothing will give you peace but Jesus alone. Anything else will fade and leave you off worse.
Thank you brother for sharing. I can relate. I'll pray for you. It's a good sign that you regret your way of living. It shows that God hasn't given up on you. "Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts." Zechariah 1:3 KJV As long as you turn to him and pray for forgiveness he will not forsake you. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9 KJV Don't give up. "For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love." Lamentations 3:31-33 NIV
If you want to know if you are saved read 1st John and compare your life. Secondly read James to see if your faith is genuine. I would say in my humble opinion that you are saved because you seem to care deeply about your sin and want to sincerely give your life to JESUS. People who aren’t saved don’t do those things. They don’t feel bad about their sins and have no desire to make JESUS lord. I would say that you struggle with assurance and need to learn to trust in CHRIST and rest in his promises. I have struggled with this too. I would look at these things knowing them as far as salvation and the gospel but it’s like I don’t want to believe that they apply to me, that GOD loves me. When I look at the answered prayers and things he has done in my life I can’t deny him or that he is working in me. I felt like I wasn’t doubting him but doubting me and my goodness but I was doubting him. I was doubting that what he said in his word applied to me. That when he said I’d you repent and believe you will be saved. Doubting that he loves me because of my sin even though he laid down his life for me. Even though I saw fruit. I did see sanctification I just wasn’t where I wanted to or thought I should be, but I have come a long way in 21 years. When I started to really believe him and his word and that it applies to me as much as the people I share the gospel with I started to rest and feel more secure. Also look at the doctrine of election. This can be a hard thing to learn and not everyone agrees on it but when I started to study it and learn it it helped immensely because I realized that my salvation had absolutely nothing to do with me. He put his name on the line and he doesn’t love me because of anything I’ve done or hate me for what I failed to do. He chose me from before the foundation of the world and then he died for me before I was born. If he did all of that and I could lose my salvation that would make him a liar and mean he couldn’t save me. We know he isn’t a liar and he can do all things. I can’t tell you if you are saved but these things helped me and you can go to 1 John to compare your walk with his word and find out. Also stop killing yourself. It sounds like your being really critical and legalistic. If GOD really did tell you to stop reading books then obey him but that’s not treasure and unless it is an idol for you I can’t see any reason that would be a sin. Are you sure you aren’t confusing your voice in your head for GOD’s? You must measure anything GOD is telling you against scripture. Now I’m not saying it isn’t GOD he just made me give up video games but it’s because I am trying to Perdue him more closely and it was getting in the way. Some times I wouldn’t read my Bible because I was in a video game and couldn’t put it down. When anything gets between you and GOD destroy it. But you must learn to trust him. His burden is light, he wants you to have joy in your salvation and peace. He wants you to trust him and seek him. He doesn’t want you to be confused and afraid. He didn’t give his life for you to live in misery and shame or for you to oppress yourself. Walking with him should free us and it should be a pleasure. We should long for him and to do his work. We should look forward to seeing him and living everyday for him. We will suffer and we will face trials but even in those things he is there. Read psalms 139. Also know that when you look at your life and you are asking about fruit, repentance is a fruit, good works are fruit, a desire for holiness is a fruit, desiring his presence and his word are a fruit, desiring to share your faith, desiring to love others especially those in the church are all fruit. You will see these things in your life some more than others at times. But when you look back to before you were saved you will notice none of that was there. Before I was saved I was a angry hateful person who did drugs and I was very violent. All of that is pretty much gone, not to say I never struggle with anger anymore but it’s not like it was every day of my life. I don’t hate anyone anymore although I hate some of the wicked things the world does. I haven’t been violent In years. But every now and again I will lose my temper and yell at my wife or a curse word may come out and I will have to go calm down. I struggle with porn as well but I don’t watch it 6 times a day like I used to. I try not to look at women or think evil things but some times it does happen and I confess and repent. But I never used to even try to control myself. Before I got saved I didn’t care about any of those things. Now I love the Bible I teach the Bible, I share my faith, I volunteer at the church, I love my church and serving there. I share my faith with as many as I can. I still struggle but I have fruit and it looks a lot different than before I became a Christian and these things didn’t all change the moment I got saved. When I first got saved he took my anger and hatred away instantly. The rest has slowly over 21 years changed things have been taken away and things have been added. Some times I see things that are ugly and I pray and we work on that and it may take days or years to change. Some times I deal with pride. But when I realize it I confess and repent and eventually those things I feel prideful about I may not anymore. That doesn’t mean I will never struggle with pride or lust or anything but not like I used to. Anyway I hope all of this has helped you.
Btw thankyou for this video...for the discernment and maturity and transparency you showed while responding...and to all those in the comments who responded harshly to the video and others responses...you know who you are...may God give your knowledge of his word and understanding of it more wisdom so as to discern better next time you decide to respond...Galatians 6:1
Very good lesson. It has been pointed out by many able expositors, that while we are on this side of Jordan we ARE going to sin. 1 John discusses these aspects. The believer will NEVER be totally abandoned by God, disciplined, yes, but never abandoned. False converts usually rebel against anyone pointing out their sin, God included. My life is full of backsliding. Hence, in 1 John we read..."If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." How great is our God!
The backslider will get the living crap beat out of him by his heavenly father. One day he will realize that his life is in shambles because he is being chastised by God, he will also feel guilty the entire time he is straying. Paul writes to a church in the New testament about a man who was having sex with his stepmother. He told the congregation to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his soul may live. That's what happens to a backslider. If he's not careful he will be handed over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his soul may live. That's exactly what happened to The prodigal son. And it may take a year it may take several decades before he realizes what's going on, then comes to his senses and repents. God's heart is to restore him as soon as he returns. But it can take years before he regains his assurance and his joy. Because if God returned his joy and his assurance immediately he may go right back to the world the next time he's tempted. That's what will happen if you stray a little too far.
He that is without sin, cast the first stone. For all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God. We have enough to do for our own walk with God, which isn’t always perfect. Judging people, watching their fruits is not the answer. Neither are rich Pastors or big churches. They only add to the problem in this world of money & deception. 💞
Ashamedly and embarrassingly enough, trying to get through a 3 day fast all the way to the end (the opposition has been so fierce) has kept me in a ditch for a long time. Its not something I'm putting on myself to do, I felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to do it. I'm very fearful that if I don't somehow make it all the way through before I die I'll be cast off as reprobate.
Only God knows the heart. We know for ourselves as the HolySpirit indwells in us but we can never know for sure about other people. They may show ‘fruits’ but so do Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses, who display kindness and gentleness. So let God be the judge.
Stewoe like Direct X said you humilty and transparency are a sign that God is at work in your heart. Best advice i can give is stay in the word the world your flesh and the devil will try to distract you from it but cling to it daily its the most precious thing this world has to offer. Ask God for discernment and understanding like a child he has all you need he speaks only through his word. Its the instrument he has chosen to use to speak to us through it. Also remember the flesh contributes nothing and can do nothing to save us. Therefore it cannot take away from a persons justification either. Salvation is a free gift by grace. Genuine salvivic repentance and faith that rest on Christ alone is wrought by God alone inside a persons heart we bring nothing to earn it and can do nothing to add to it. Its a free gift from God that we dont deserve. Was Abraham justified by faith or by works? Did the theif on the cross do anything to save himself or anything after he was saved as he was dying next to Christ as they both hung on the crosses next to eachother. No. Were all guilty of sin but Christ payed the price for us that we may enter in he was the payment the ransom. He paid it all. Only he could unlock the gates of heaven to let us in. Our debt has been paid in full. What did Paul say to the guard in the prison when he asked Paul how he could be saved and what did Paul say. Just beleive! The moment you put all your faith and trust in what God has provided for you in the person and work of his son for you on the cross you have just obeyed the gospel and God will never condemn you for that. Its a promise to be obeyed. And God is faithful to his promises. He cannot lie. God bless!
Really tricky subject but hugely important seeing the last decades of unbiblical evangelism, where folks have 'come to Christ' by walking an aisle, raising their hand, or praying a prayer.... while not having truly repented! Our churches may be full of folks masquerading as Christians, to the harm of the true church, as, bad company corrupts good character.' Help us Jesus!!
Quit with the softness and tell them the truth ... Repent and believe the gospel ! Or perish. Either they accept it, reject it, or do the will of God and be saved. Obedience is required. Now when they heard this,they were pricked in their heart, and they said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, What shall we do ? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:38 is the foundation of God's plan of salvation.
Im sinning and feel super guilty. Buying to many Bibles as of late. Feel like im going from buying for studying to idolatry for the bible itself. I have prayed to Jesus about this.
After I got saved I went home and God gave me a vision on my wall. I saw my name written in the Book Of Life. But I think I backslide too far. Everyday I fear going to Hell, fear people,feel my spirit is corrupted and feel freezing cold all the time.
Your salvation is not based on your effort to stay saved, but only on Jesus's death on your behalf. Look up to Jesus not inward to yourself. Your regret, shame, and guilt are signs that you don't love your sin. If you can honestly say that you desire to change, that at your heart you want to follow God, with him as King, that you love him, then these are signs that you are saved. You can for sure know you are saved, because the Bible says so. Repentance is a daily thing, and something we'll never finish in this life. The longer we go, the further the finish line stretches out in front of us as we realise how wretched we are! But when you begin to despair, don't linger there, remember it is Jesus who said 'It is finished!' He is the one who runs the race well. Surely he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.
Don’t trust experiences, like visions. Satan can produce lying wonders and signs. Open the Bible. If you have an aversion to the Bible, push through it. Pray before reading that God will reveal Himself through scripture. Use the scripture to guide you. Don’t pick and choose what to believe. The first few times reading it through there will be things you don’t understand. But as you are faithful to meet with God daily in prayer and scripture reading you are like a spouse who is waiting at home for her husband to return, eager to ask him about his day. You are building an intimate relationship with your Savior. Don’t trust your feelings. They will lie to you. Satan will use our emotions to control and confuse us. If you look up “spirit of” in scripture you will notice all evil spirits are associated with emotions (like the spirit of fear), but those associated with God are fruitful (like the spirit of truth). This is where scripture memory is helpful. If you look at how Jesus dealt with the lies Satan threw at Him in the wilderness, Jesus used only scripture, and the understanding of the truth in it, to defend Himself and overcome those temptations. If you are struggling, it may indicate you aren’t saved, but it also could simply be God nudging toward the Bible and trying to teach you to trust Him, not your feelings. God loves us. Instead of worrying if you’ve pushed too far, take a step towards Him. Get to know Him. Spend time with Him. Look at your life, the things that consume your time and attention, and ask yourself if they are pleasing to Him. Ask for His help. He came to the earth to redeem those who trust Him. Stop trusting your own efforts and take Him at His Word!
I have two sisters who left the faith, one was baptized, and one wasn't. So, my parents have assumed that my middle sister who never got baptized, was never a believer, but the youngest who was baptized, is a prodigal child. This raises another question, does choosing to be baptized mean somebody is a true believer? This question can become infinitely complicated by the fact that some churches have infant baptism, and other have believers' baptism.
Being a believer is a lifelong process & ultimately the Lord will judge who is a true believer or not. Getting baptized as a baby or adult is only the first phase of being in the family of God. As the good book says, the one that endures to the end will be saved !
There’s a reason this is so difficult to answer. We will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16-20), and as Todd said, that takes time as well as loving admonishment or confrontation. Ultimately, the final judgement over who is sincere in their faith and who is not will be God’s. Until then, we can only confront, discipline, and pray for the person we are concerned about. As for the person themselves who struggles with a sin, they need to continually be evaluating themselves about whether or not they truly have a relationship with Christ. A relationship that loves what God loves and hates what God hates, despite their failures. Not someone that is unrepentant in their sin. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6 and 1 John)
And for those in the comments I pointed to Galatians 6:1 who threw out bible versus backed by harsh judgements on a brother in Christ i will further point you to Romans 2:1 that may be grow in grace towards those around you and leave your hypocritical judgements to yourself...the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing that matters in this life...all else is fleeting and is passing away as will we all one day. May God be the judge. He is the only righteous and good and is blessed forever and ever Amen!
What if someone did make true profession of faith and repentance then fell away for 10 -12 years and then truly did return to Christ? What would you say about such a person?
The conversion story is not an indicator lol There are people who simply were given the gift of Salvation and Genuine belief as children. So They don't have a Saul to Paul Damascus road story. They simply believed and followed at a young age.
I grew up in a Baptist bg, and the emphasis on a radical conversion story has been a stumbling block for me and many others I know. Me and many other brothers I know have "gotten saved" like 6 times. Because it has to be perfect. We have to "know that we know that we know". I only have peace about God's gift of salvation when my focus is on Christ, the Cross, and His promises, and not on me and what I've done.
Actually that's what keeps my attention. Changes in shooting angles, his movements around the studio, changes in voice and jokes. all this makes his lecture interesting, watchable and at the same time instructive. With videos where a person just sits for an hour, my thoughts quickly wander somewhere else because it's hard to keep my attention. (although I also watch those) But I understand that this way will not suit everyone.
I was getting motion sickness from it. I just scrolled down to the comments so the video was no longer visible and listened instead of watched it, helped me.
This had me thinking: do you think that chewing some nicotine gum for pleasure (instead of tobacco which I used to do) could be considered a sin? I haven’t felt a strong conviction either way but know it’s not exactly a good thing. Thanks.
Hi Mr Todd love you I don't think I'm just a backslider or a convert. What's with all the names? I'm just a being given life by God and contaminated with sin. I didn't come up with this. I have a being, I have a name and I believe in Jesus. Jesus is Alive!!! ⛪️💕🏃♂️💨🌍
Made a correct profession? So, you just have to say the right words? That is the core of legalism, say the right words, and or do the right rituals. God does not look at the external, He judges your heart even more accurately than you can.
It deeply saddens me how confused Christians are about everything spiritual and biblical. Everyone has a different interpretation. Everyone has a different experience. Everyone has a different answer. This is all meaningless.
Was Peter a backslider when he denied Jesus? Also, did Jesus not teach to forgive 70x7? The lord is willing to forgive you, if you’re willing to repent. If you were once born again, you just need to allow the lord to wash your feet, don’t give power to sin and believe in Gods grace, if you love the Lord on obey him, you will be healed.
By their fruits you will know them but also the Bible says only GODknows their heart . If someone professes to be a Christian but is willfully sinning that should send off alarm bells but we should not judge their salvation. Only GOD knows their heart. We should call that person out on their sin however, pray for them and yes their church leaders should discipline as needed. We should test ourselves to make sure we are truly in the faith.
Hebrews says God doesn’t have pleasure in one who draws back to perdition. YOU CANT DRAW BACK TO PERDITION IF YOU NEVER LEFT IT TO BEGIN WITH . think about that without your reform lenses on
C’mon guys….it’s more than evidence of good fruit. Way more. Disciplinary intercession is to help someone who either can’t see it or can’t help themselves. Otherwise there’d be intercession for everyone all the time. “Oh they gained 10 pounds over the winter. Their mired in gluttony. Time for discipline!!!”
If believers can live a lifestyle of sin then what is the point in getting saved? Jesus came to free people from the bondage of sin and to destroy the works of the devil. Believers have a new nature and the holy spirit dwelling within them. So even if they sin God is going to convict them of it and chastise them. They repent and keep growing in the Lord. By the way there is no mention of backsliding with individual Christians, or even as a whole, in the new testament (in the old testament backsliding happened to the whole nation of Israel).
What if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your lird and savior but you willingly committ the sin of gluttony and sloth over and over again constantly? Am i a false convert or just backsliding right now?
"Back slider" is NEVER mentioned in the NT. Only SINNERS saved by GRACE. And ALL genuine believers SIN...DAILY...ALWAYS WILL till we die and fully redeemed with new bodies for " in me, that is in my FLESH dwelleth NO GOOD THING" - Romans. Even PAUL CONFESSED:"I am CARNAL sold as a slave under sin". "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this death"? "Christ Jesus came into this world to save SINNERS of whom i am CHIEF"! "Now to him that WORKETH NOT but believeth on him that justifies the UNGIDLY, his faith is counted for righteousness" - Romans 4. REST in the FINISHED work of Christ - NOT your IWN inconsustencies. We are ALL inconsistent - so was PAUL.
So since we cannot KNOW God except through Jesus Christ ONLY, can we agree that romans 1 21 - 25 is about the saved backsliding? John 14 KJV [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. KJV Romans 1.........57ad [21] Because that, WHEN they KNEW God, they glorified him NOT as God, neither were thankful; but BECAME VAIN in their IMAGINATIONS, and their foolish heart WAS DARKENED. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they BECAME FOOLS, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an IMAGE made like to CORRUPTIBLE man , and to BIRDS, and FOURFOOTED BEASTS, and CREEPING things. [24] Wherefore God also GAVE THEM UP to UNCLEANNESS through the LUSTS of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: [25] Who changed the truth of God into a LIE, and worshipped and served the CREATURE MORE than the CREATOR, who is blessed for ever. Amen Every single believer backslides at some point. This is what happens in the background when we do and stop repenting daily. Gods grace is always there when we go back to Him with a sorrowful heart. Unless we deny the words of the Holy Spirit. Thats unforgivable. When paul said in [21] Because that, WHEN they KNEW God He wasnt using those words loosely. He was saying they knew Jesus. He would NEVER contradict Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We need to take those words seriously. Those are powerful words. Knowing OF OF God does not mean to KNOW KNOW God. Paul switched gears from 20 to 21 as he did 17 to 18. Even we So since we cannot KNOW God except through Jesus Christ ONLY, can we agree that romans 1 21 - 25 is about the saved backsliding? John 14 KJV [6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. KJV Romans 1.........57ad [21] Because that, WHEN they KNEW God, they glorified him NOT as God, neither were thankful; but BECAME VAIN in their IMAGINATIONS, and their foolish heart WAS DARKENED. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they BECAME FOOLS, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an IMAGE made like to CORRUPTIBLE man , and to BIRDS, and FOURFOOTED BEASTS, and CREEPING things. [24] Wherefore God also GAVE THEM UP to UNCLEANNESS through the LUSTS of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: [25] Who changed the truth of God into a LIE, and worshipped and served the CREATURE MORE than the CREATOR, who is blessed for ever. Amen Every single believer backslides at some point. This is what happens in the background when we do and stop repenting daily. Gods grace is always there when we go back to Him with a sorrowful heart. Unless we deny the words of the Holy Spirit. Thats unforgivable. When paul said in [21] Because that, WHEN they KNEW God He wasnt using those words loosely. He was saying they knew Jesus. He would NEVER contradict Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We need to take those words seriously. Those are powerful words. Knowing OF OF God does not mean to KNOW KNOW God. Paul switched gears from 20 to 21 as he did 17 to 18. Even we saved have no excuse when we abandon our faith. Bless you.
The Bible is very clear that the believer should not leave the unbeliever they married because of their unbelief alone. So they’ve sinned, but need to repent. Confess the sin to God. Sometimes with sin, we will still have to deal with the consequences. But that doesn’t mean that the person isn’t saved. ‘22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.’ (Acts 2:22-23, ESV). But you can see what happened to them here: ‘37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.’ (Acts 2:37-41, ESV) They could not undo what they had already done - but they could be saved if they repented and believed. David, who had Uriah killed, couldn’t undo what he had done. But: ‘14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.’ (Psalms 51:14, ESV) There is nothing David can do but be broken and contrite about his sin. And a broken and contrite heart He will not despise. So confess your sin, acknowledge it to God, and believe His Word, that all who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life; that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, ESV).
Since Once Saved Always Saved isn't biblical, someone can be truly saved but then lose their salvation. But thankfully, by the grace of God, we can be brought back. Whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins
If someone can loose their salvation then you are basing things on works righteousness rather than what Jesus Christ did at the cross. The Bible teaches that we are not saved by works righteousness. The King James Bible does not teach that believers can loose their salvation.
@We Had Enough With Hook-Up Culture & Dating! how is that based on works righteousness? God gave us free will to choose to follow him and someone who was saved may lose their faith and choose to forego their salvation. It's sad, but it does happen. But thankfully, we may repent and regain salvation. It doesn't in any way undermine Jesus's work.
@DammitWaze once you aew saved, you're always saved. If you think you can then ask yourself, You May KNOW That You Have Eternal Life” 1 John 5:13 That means nothing. There will be many in the last days who think they're saved, and not. 1 John 2:19 describes those who claim to have been saved. Sorry buddy, once saved always saved is very biblical and I'm guessing the losing your salvation verses you've got are Hebrews 6 etc. Taken out of context.
@frosty_soda if you give your 16 year old son a car for his birthday and he neglects to put oil or transmission fluid in it, he can very easily lose a free gift he didn't deserve. I think the idea you can't give up a free gift actually dishonors Jesus's sacrifice because it cheapens the value of his gift just like the kid with a car.
Oh man, this is really bad, and verging on actual heresy. Those once in Christ falling away and no longer being in Christ, that’s not a doctrine that is up for debate.
Backslider isn’t a Biblical term. Paul does call the Corinthians carnal believers (still calling them brethren and have the mind of Christ). This whole video and really channel begins with the assumption believers somehow cannot live in repentant sin. Of course I am sure this man will admit we are never sinless, so he really means SOME sin. I guess of some special category or magnitude. This thinking gets really subjective. And I’d argue no one can have any assurance by looking towards works.
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This is a tricky subject. I’m glad you talked about not rushing to judgment. Even though I feel secure in Christ, I still got chills listening to this. I struggled for a long time with the idea that if I’d truly been converted, I’d be perfect and never sin again.
Prodigal son. Was a believer then went away became dead, then repented and was alive again.
Not dead to God, only removed by choices, by your own feet...ie; the prodigal son...you are "born again of incorruptible SEED, by the Word of God , which liveth and abideth forever"....you came back home, just like I did and I could just about guarantee I was the worst of the two of us. Don't give up. God bless you as you walk with Christ.
The prodigal wasn’t saved to begin with.
@@chad9455 so according to *my understanding of the prodigal son parable, it internally ( at face value ) isn't about being saved or not being saved, regarding the topic of Salvation, it really is about returning to the loving father, who will gladly accept you and rejoice at your turning back to him, which when interpreted in its symbolic bigger picture, means the same thing but on the scale of us ( me and you/believers everywhere ) turning back to our Heavenly Father who loves us, when we have forsaken Him and turned from Him, then come back to Him, and with all this said I don't think in any way that the prodigal son of the parable was indicated to be saved or unsaved, which wasn't really the main idea of the parable anyway; it's a bit confusing with the way I described it, and I don't know if I made my point clear, but do you understand what I mean?
Love from me and the Father, and Grace and Peace from the Lord be with you ❤
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is basically the embodiment of a backslider, if you think about it. The Parable speaks of the son that leaves his father, goes out and squanders all he'd been given, and then, when he's truly broken, out of money, he comes crawling back to his father who lovingly accepts him to the chagrin of the brother who had been there all along, kinda like how churchgoers like to judge backsliders. It fits pretty well.
I think this describes me. I'm going to tell my story, and I hope it'll help someone. It's long. If you want to read it, read all of it.
I used to be watching pornography. Five years ago I cried out to God for Him to save me, and after that I just felt a peace that I never felt before. That was on new year's eve 2017.
During the year 2018 I was completely free from porn. I increasingly had a desire for righteousness and to be a light in the world. I failed alot at that tho. And I never shared my faith because of social anxiety, even tho I did desire to do so at the time, this is still a problem today and it kills me.
So, we're getting to fall 2018. At this point I promised God to give up video games, something I always loved doing and did alot (these were not sinful games in any way, mainly simulators), out of joy in my heart because I noticed it was taking too much of my time.
By the end of the year I started worrying about a health issue I'd dealt with before I was saved. It was not a very serious issue, but the doctors didn't find anything because it's an intermittent issue. It worried me because it could decrease testosterone levels (I self-diagnosed at this point, later confirmed by a doctor). I prayed to God to take it away lots of times, but in His wisdom He didn't.
The worry got progressively worse in the next year (2019) to the point of distrusting God so much that I was borderline suicidal and depressed. There were other issues as well, that I won't go into detail about. So my faith started wavering. I got back into video games. I had no zeal for God.
Now it's fall 2019. At this time I fell back into pornography. Not to the extent it used to be, I see God's hand in that. But nevertheless, I did fall into it. It was horrible. I asked God for forgiveness, but I never had the peace I once felt. I do want to point out that this was the only time I ever relapsed into it, praise God for that.
At the end of the year I finally had surgery after getting a right diagnosis. I thought this surgery was going to solve everything. Yeah. How foolish I was to ever think that. The surgery was successful.
The next two years (2020-2021) I spent in a weird state of mind. The worry for the illness was exchanged for the worry of it's recurrence. I was, besides work, pretty much just playing video games, while occasionally reading devotionals and rarely the Word. It wasn't like I didn't believe in God anymore, but I was very lukewarm.
At the start of 2021, my new year's resolution was to completely stop masturbating, something I was free from a few months in 2018, but in 2019 that came back too, which also made things worse because of the guilt. I failed in that too and during 2021 I kept struggling. Sometimes having a few weeks or months of victory, but not completely.
In the fall of 2021 I started to have conviction about video games. I asked God if He didn't want me to play them anymore that He would take away my desire for it. And He did. At the turn of that year I quit video games. Something I didn't think I was ever able to do. And on my own, I couldn't have.
In the spring of 2022, God took away the worry about the 'illness'.
Also then I started to fear I had committed the sin against the Holy Spirit, and I believe that that was the final kick God used to bring me back to Him. I realized in that season that I couldn't live without Him. After that I started reading my Bible again.
In the year 2022 I also found a new hobby, reading books. At that moment I was planning to collect hundreds of books and I also started to have fears for them. Then a scripture hit me: 'Do not collect yourselves treasures on earth, where thieves steal, and moth and rust destroy' Matth 6:19. I didn't like it of course since I loved books.
After that I didn't buy fiction books anymore and I started to buy and read theology books. At the time I viewed it as a gift from God. Sadly there was some pride with the idea of 'reading theology', I hate that.
Now I have the feeling I shouldn't read paper books at all and only read digitally (something I dislike), which ties in with the present day. I went on and off for the last couple of months feeling guilty. Sometimes thinking, if I don't give up all paper books it proves I don't really love God. And then at other times I see a Bible scholar or pastor on TH-cam in a room full of books and I think, it's not a sin.
Then I determined not to buy any new ones and I submitted my life to God and I asked Him if He would take away my books if that would be His will.
Now, the last couple of days the past is catching up with me. Not the pre-saved past because I consider that the time I was dead. But the time period 2019-2021. Looking back I see so little fruit during that time period that it makes me scared. I'm starting to think that my conversion was fake after all. I asked for forgiveness for those years, but it haunts me. How is it possible for a believer to be a dry fig tree for 3 years?
I'll stop here, since this is today.
Anyone who came this far, thank you for sticking trough reading my life story. I've never opened up any of this to anyone, and now I'm doing it online. Feels strange but sorta relieving too.
Please pray for me that I may bear much fruit.
If I have a warning it is this: Never doubt God's goodness when you get sick or bad things happen. Keep drawing near to Him. Nothing, and I repeat, nothing will give you peace but Jesus alone. Anything else will fade and leave you off worse.
Thank you brother for sharing. I can relate. I'll pray for you. It's a good sign that you regret your way of living. It shows that God hasn't given up on you.
"Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts." Zechariah 1:3 KJV
As long as you turn to him and pray for forgiveness he will not forsake you.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" 1 John 1:9 KJV
Don't give up.
"For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love." Lamentations 3:31-33 NIV
AMEN STAY STRONG BROTHER
If you want to know if you are saved read 1st John and compare your life. Secondly read James to see if your faith is genuine. I would say in my humble opinion that you are saved because you seem to care deeply about your sin and want to sincerely give your life to JESUS. People who aren’t saved don’t do those things. They don’t feel bad about their sins and have no desire to make JESUS lord. I would say that you struggle with assurance and need to learn to trust in CHRIST and rest in his promises. I have struggled with this too. I would look at these things knowing them as far as salvation and the gospel but it’s like I don’t want to believe that they apply to me, that GOD loves me. When I look at the answered prayers and things he has done in my life I can’t deny him or that he is working in me. I felt like I wasn’t doubting him but doubting me and my goodness but I was doubting him. I was doubting that what he said in his word applied to me. That when he said I’d you repent and believe you will be saved. Doubting that he loves me because of my sin even though he laid down his life for me. Even though I saw fruit. I did see sanctification I just wasn’t where I wanted to or thought I should be, but I have come a long way in 21 years. When I started to really believe him and his word and that it applies to me as much as the people I share the gospel with I started to rest and feel more secure. Also look at the doctrine of election. This can be a hard thing to learn and not everyone agrees on it but when I started to study it and learn it it helped immensely because I realized that my salvation had absolutely nothing to do with me. He put his name on the line and he doesn’t love me because of anything I’ve done or hate me for what I failed to do. He chose me from before the foundation of the world and then he died for me before I was born. If he did all of that and I could lose my salvation that would make him a liar and mean he couldn’t save me. We know he isn’t a liar and he can do all things. I can’t tell you if you are saved but these things helped me and you can go to 1 John to compare your walk with his word and find out. Also stop killing yourself. It sounds like your being really critical and legalistic. If GOD really did tell you to stop reading books then obey him but that’s not treasure and unless it is an idol for you I can’t see any reason that would be a sin. Are you sure you aren’t confusing your voice in your head for GOD’s? You must measure anything GOD is telling you against scripture. Now I’m not saying it isn’t GOD he just made me give up video games but it’s because I am trying to Perdue him more closely and it was getting in the way. Some times I wouldn’t read my Bible because I was in a video game and couldn’t put it down. When anything gets between you and GOD destroy it. But you must learn to trust him. His burden is light, he wants you to have joy in your salvation and peace. He wants you to trust him and seek him. He doesn’t want you to be confused and afraid. He didn’t give his life for you to live in misery and shame or for you to oppress yourself. Walking with him should free us and it should be a pleasure. We should long for him and to do his work. We should look forward to seeing him and living everyday for him. We will suffer and we will face trials but even in those things he is there. Read psalms 139. Also know that when you look at your life and you are asking about fruit, repentance is a fruit, good works are fruit, a desire for holiness is a fruit, desiring his presence and his word are a fruit, desiring to share your faith, desiring to love others especially those in the church are all fruit. You will see these things in your life some more than others at times. But when you look back to before you were saved you will notice none of that was there. Before I was saved I was a angry hateful person who did drugs and I was very violent. All of that is pretty much gone, not to say I never struggle with anger anymore but it’s not like it was every day of my life. I don’t hate anyone anymore although I hate some of the wicked things the world does. I haven’t been violent In years. But every now and again I will lose my temper and yell at my wife or a curse word may come out and I will have to go calm down. I struggle with porn as well but I don’t watch it 6 times a day like I used to. I try not to look at women or think evil things but some times it does happen and I confess and repent. But I never used to even try to control myself. Before I got saved I didn’t care about any of those things. Now I love the Bible I teach the Bible, I share my faith, I volunteer at the church, I love my church and serving there. I share my faith with as many as I can. I still struggle but I have fruit and it looks a lot different than before I became a Christian and these things didn’t all change the moment I got saved. When I first got saved he took my anger and hatred away instantly. The rest has slowly over 21 years changed things have been taken away and things have been added. Some times I see things that are ugly and I pray and we work on that and it may take days or years to change. Some times I deal with pride. But when I realize it I confess and repent and eventually those things I feel prideful about I may not anymore. That doesn’t mean I will never struggle with pride or lust or anything but not like I used to. Anyway I hope all of this has helped you.
@@directx3497 Thank you so much for taking the time to comment brother. I really appreciate it.
@@stewoe7157 No problem I hope it helped.
God bless you Todd.
Btw thankyou for this video...for the discernment and maturity and transparency you showed while responding...and to all those in the comments who responded harshly to the video and others responses...you know who you are...may God give your knowledge of his word and understanding of it more wisdom so as to discern better next time you decide to respond...Galatians 6:1
Very good lesson. It has been pointed out by many able expositors, that while we are on this side of Jordan we ARE going to sin. 1 John discusses these aspects. The believer will NEVER be totally abandoned by God, disciplined, yes, but never abandoned. False converts usually rebel against anyone pointing out their sin, God included. My life is full of backsliding. Hence, in 1 John we read..."If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." How great is our God!
The backslider will get the living crap beat out of him by his heavenly father. One day he will realize that his life is in shambles because he is being chastised by God, he will also feel guilty the entire time he is straying.
Paul writes to a church in the New testament about a man who was having sex with his stepmother.
He told the congregation to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his soul may live.
That's what happens to a backslider. If he's not careful he will be handed over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh that his soul may live. That's exactly what happened to The prodigal son.
And it may take a year it may take several decades before he realizes what's going on, then comes to his senses and repents.
God's heart is to restore him as soon as he returns. But it can take years before he regains his assurance and his joy. Because if God returned his joy and his assurance immediately he may go right back to the world the next time he's tempted.
That's what will happen if you stray a little too far.
Thank you for this explanation I found it very insightful and helpful
Yes. I believe this happened to me. It was so terrifying but I’m glad it happened because I needed that severe wake up call.
Please keep me in your prayers.. thank you
He that is without sin, cast the first stone. For all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God. We have enough to do for our own walk with God, which isn’t always perfect. Judging people, watching their fruits is not the answer. Neither are rich Pastors or big churches. They only add to the problem in this world of money & deception. 💞
God bless you and Grace and Peace be with you ❤❤❤
Ashamedly and embarrassingly enough, trying to get through a 3 day fast all the way to the end (the opposition has been so fierce) has kept me in a ditch for a long time. Its not something I'm putting on myself to do, I felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to do it. I'm very fearful that if I don't somehow make it all the way through before I die I'll be cast off as reprobate.
If you believe in Christ, then He will not lose you. It is HE that keeps YOU. Trust in His word.
Only God knows the heart. We know for ourselves as the HolySpirit indwells in us but we can never know for sure about other people. They may show ‘fruits’ but so do Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses, who display kindness and gentleness. So let God be the judge.
This is so good and so accurate
Great discussion. Not so easy to know definitely.
But y tho? " its the duty of man to search the things of God, but God's pleasure to conceal a matter" . Sorry I paraphrase the verse.
Stewoe like Direct X said you humilty and transparency are a sign that God is at work in your heart. Best advice i can give is stay in the word the world your flesh and the devil will try to distract you from it but cling to it daily its the most precious thing this world has to offer. Ask God for discernment and understanding like a child he has all you need he speaks only through his word. Its the instrument he has chosen to use to speak to us through it. Also remember the flesh contributes nothing and can do nothing to save us. Therefore it cannot take away from a persons justification either. Salvation is a free gift by grace. Genuine salvivic repentance and faith that rest on Christ alone is wrought by God alone inside a persons heart we bring nothing to earn it and can do nothing to add to it. Its a free gift from God that we dont deserve. Was Abraham justified by faith or by works? Did the theif on the cross do anything to save himself or anything after he was saved as he was dying next to Christ as they both hung on the crosses next to eachother. No. Were all guilty of sin but Christ payed the price for us that we may enter in he was the payment the ransom. He paid it all. Only he could unlock the gates of heaven to let us in. Our debt has been paid in full. What did Paul say to the guard in the prison when he asked Paul how he could be saved and what did Paul say. Just beleive! The moment you put all your faith and trust in what God has provided for you in the person and work of his son for you on the cross you have just obeyed the gospel and God will never condemn you for that. Its a promise to be obeyed. And God is faithful to his promises. He cannot lie. God bless!
Great info. Camera angles are making me dizzy
Goats can't get saved. Goats don't turn into sheep and sheep don't turn into goats.
Where does the Bible say this?
Great video !
Pray for me
Really tricky subject but hugely important seeing the last decades of unbiblical evangelism, where folks have 'come to Christ' by walking an aisle, raising their hand, or praying a prayer.... while not having truly repented! Our churches may be full of folks masquerading as Christians, to the harm of the true church, as, bad company corrupts good character.' Help us Jesus!!
Quit with the softness and tell them the truth ...
Repent and believe the gospel ! Or perish.
Either they accept it, reject it, or do the will of God and be saved.
Obedience is required.
Now when they heard this,they were pricked in their heart, and they said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, Men and brethren, What shall we do ? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Acts 2:38 is the foundation of God's plan of salvation.
Im sinning and feel super guilty. Buying to many Bibles as of late. Feel like im going from buying for studying to idolatry for the bible itself.
I have prayed to Jesus about this.
After I got saved I went home and God gave me a vision on my wall. I saw my name written in the Book Of Life. But I think I backslide too far. Everyday I fear going to Hell, fear people,feel my spirit is corrupted and feel freezing cold all the time.
Your salvation is not based on your effort to stay saved, but only on Jesus's death on your behalf. Look up to Jesus not inward to yourself.
Your regret, shame, and guilt are signs that you don't love your sin. If you can honestly say that you desire to change, that at your heart you want to follow God, with him as King, that you love him, then these are signs that you are saved. You can for sure know you are saved, because the Bible says so.
Repentance is a daily thing, and something we'll never finish in this life. The longer we go, the further the finish line stretches out in front of us as we realise how wretched we are! But when you begin to despair, don't linger there, remember it is Jesus who said 'It is finished!' He is the one who runs the race well. Surely he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.
Don’t worry ! Lord Jesus don’t give up on us .
Work through it . Don’t give up .
Philippians 4 : 6-7 . And 1Peter 5 : 7 .
Peace and God bless . 🙏
😂😂😂
Go Watch American gospel films!
Don’t trust experiences, like visions. Satan can produce lying wonders and signs.
Open the Bible. If you have an aversion to the Bible, push through it. Pray before reading that God will reveal Himself through scripture.
Use the scripture to guide you. Don’t pick and choose what to believe. The first few times reading it through there will be things you don’t understand. But as you are faithful to meet with God daily in prayer and scripture reading you are like a spouse who is waiting at home for her husband to return, eager to ask him about his day. You are building an intimate relationship with your Savior.
Don’t trust your feelings. They will lie to you. Satan will use our emotions to control and confuse us. If you look up “spirit of” in scripture you will notice all evil spirits are associated with emotions (like the spirit of fear), but those associated with God are fruitful (like the spirit of truth). This is where scripture memory is helpful. If you look at how Jesus dealt with the lies Satan threw at Him in the wilderness, Jesus used only scripture, and the understanding of the truth in it, to defend Himself and overcome those temptations.
If you are struggling, it may indicate you aren’t saved, but it also could simply be God nudging toward the Bible and trying to teach you to trust Him, not your feelings.
God loves us. Instead of worrying if you’ve pushed too far, take a step towards Him. Get to know Him. Spend time with Him. Look at your life, the things that consume your time and attention, and ask yourself if they are pleasing to Him. Ask for His help. He came to the earth to redeem those who trust Him. Stop trusting your own efforts and take Him at His Word!
I have two sisters who left the faith, one was baptized, and one wasn't. So, my parents have assumed that my middle sister who never got baptized, was never a believer, but the youngest who was baptized, is a prodigal child. This raises another question, does choosing to be baptized mean somebody is a true believer? This question can become infinitely complicated by the fact that some churches have infant baptism, and other have believers' baptism.
Being a believer is a lifelong process & ultimately the Lord will judge who is a true believer or not. Getting baptized as a baby or adult is only the first phase of being in the family of God. As the good book says, the one that endures to the end will be saved !
There’s a reason this is so difficult to answer. We will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16-20), and as Todd said, that takes time as well as loving admonishment or confrontation. Ultimately, the final judgement over who is sincere in their faith and who is not will be God’s. Until then, we can only confront, discipline, and pray for the person we are concerned about. As for the person themselves who struggles with a sin, they need to continually be evaluating themselves about whether or not they truly have a relationship with Christ. A relationship that loves what God loves and hates what God hates, despite their failures. Not someone that is unrepentant in their sin. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6 and 1 John)
If youre worried about your sin, youre probably saved. Unbelievers dont think about that.
Exactly! Not only worry, but feel guilty after committing a sin.
Anyone who not saved won't pay any attention.
And for those in the comments I pointed to Galatians 6:1 who threw out bible versus backed by harsh judgements on a brother in Christ i will further point you to Romans 2:1 that may be grow in grace towards those around you and leave your hypocritical judgements to yourself...the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only thing that matters in this life...all else is fleeting and is passing away as will we all one day. May God be the judge. He is the only righteous and good and is blessed forever and ever Amen!
What if someone did make true profession of faith and repentance then fell away for 10 -12 years and then truly did return to Christ? What would you say about such a person?
@EmV-si1eu
How are you now?
You described me..Id say stop sinning and return to you King and never let go again
If you believe in the once saved always saved, you cant explain back sliding.
Lead astray or gone astray sounds better than backslider IMHO. Am I wrong?
The conversion story is not an indicator lol There are people who simply were given the gift of Salvation and Genuine belief as children. So They don't have a Saul to Paul Damascus road story. They simply believed and followed at a young age.
I grew up in a Baptist bg, and the emphasis on a radical conversion story has been a stumbling block for me and many others I know. Me and many other brothers I know have "gotten saved" like 6 times. Because it has to be perfect. We have to "know that we know that we know". I only have peace about God's gift of salvation when my focus is on Christ, the Cross, and His promises, and not on me and what I've done.
Good show but the camera moving around is hard to watch.
Actually that's what keeps my attention.
Changes in shooting angles, his movements around the studio, changes in voice and jokes.
all this makes his lecture interesting, watchable and at the same time instructive.
With videos where a person just sits for an hour, my thoughts quickly wander somewhere else because it's hard to keep my attention.
(although I also watch those)
But I understand that this way will not suit everyone.
I was getting motion sickness from it. I just scrolled down to the comments so the video was no longer visible and listened instead of watched it, helped me.
Skip to 3:30
This had me thinking: do you think that chewing some nicotine gum for pleasure (instead of tobacco which I used to do) could be considered a sin? I haven’t felt a strong conviction either way but know it’s not exactly a good thing. Thanks.
In the Hebrew, "backslider" meant unfaithful, and shows up more in Jeremiah and Hosea
Does anyone preach on God’s love and promises anymore?
Hi Mr Todd love you I don't think I'm just a backslider or a convert. What's with all the names? I'm just a being given life by God and contaminated with sin. I didn't come up with this. I have a being, I have a name and I believe in Jesus.
Jesus is Alive!!!
⛪️💕🏃♂️💨🌍
Made a correct profession? So, you just have to say the right words? That is the core of legalism, say the right words, and or do the right rituals. God does not look at the external, He judges your heart even more accurately than you can.
So if a “stayed sheep” were to die suddenly while he/she is in a season of sin…would he/she go to heaven?
Yes
It deeply saddens me how confused Christians are about everything spiritual and biblical. Everyone has a different interpretation. Everyone has a different experience. Everyone has a different answer. This is all meaningless.
Was Peter a backslider when he denied Jesus? Also, did Jesus not teach to forgive 70x7? The lord is willing to forgive you, if you’re willing to repent. If you were once born again, you just need to allow the lord to wash your feet, don’t give power to sin and believe in Gods grace, if you love the Lord on obey him, you will be healed.
By their fruits you will know them but also the Bible says only GODknows their heart . If someone professes to be a Christian but is willfully sinning that should send off alarm bells but we should not judge their salvation. Only GOD knows their heart. We should call that person out on their sin however, pray for them and yes their church leaders should discipline as needed. We should test ourselves to make sure we are truly in the faith.
Hebrews says God doesn’t have pleasure in one who draws back to perdition. YOU CANT DRAW BACK TO PERDITION IF YOU NEVER LEFT IT TO BEGIN WITH . think about that without your reform lenses on
David? A true convert but gave way to sin. We are like David.
Should have been...
1. Make sure they are born again.
2. They are living the Christian life.
3. Do you have most biblical doctrines in common?
C’mon guys….it’s more than evidence of good fruit. Way more. Disciplinary intercession is to help someone who either can’t see it or can’t help themselves. Otherwise there’d be intercession for everyone all the time. “Oh they gained 10 pounds over the winter. Their mired in gluttony. Time for discipline!!!”
If believers can live a lifestyle of sin then what is the point in getting saved? Jesus came to free people from the bondage of sin and to destroy the works of the devil. Believers have a new nature and the holy spirit dwelling within them. So even if they sin God is going to convict them of it and chastise them. They repent and keep growing in the Lord. By the way there is no mention of backsliding with individual Christians, or even as a whole, in the new testament (in the old testament backsliding happened to the whole nation of Israel).
Paul suffered with his flesh nature. I doubt I'm going to do better than him this side of heaven.
Im sure gonna try, but I will fail on my own.
Remember the alamo
Important subject, and I can't watch; only listen; because you're making me dizzy. 😬
What if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your lird and savior but you willingly committ the sin of gluttony and sloth over and over again constantly? Am i a false convert or just backsliding right now?
Define this stuff all you want. Only Jesus knows who is His and who isn't.
"Back slider" is NEVER mentioned in the NT. Only SINNERS saved by GRACE. And ALL genuine believers SIN...DAILY...ALWAYS WILL till we die and fully redeemed with new bodies for " in me, that is in my FLESH dwelleth NO GOOD THING" - Romans. Even PAUL CONFESSED:"I am CARNAL sold as a slave under sin". "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this death"? "Christ Jesus came into this world to save SINNERS of whom i am CHIEF"! "Now to him that WORKETH NOT but believeth on him that justifies the UNGIDLY, his faith is counted for righteousness" - Romans 4. REST in the FINISHED work of Christ - NOT your IWN inconsustencies. We are ALL inconsistent - so was PAUL.
So since we cannot KNOW God except through Jesus Christ ONLY, can we agree that romans 1 21 - 25 is about the saved backsliding?
John 14 KJV
[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
[7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
KJV
Romans 1.........57ad
[21] Because that, WHEN they KNEW God,
they glorified him NOT as God, neither were thankful; but BECAME VAIN in their IMAGINATIONS, and their foolish heart WAS DARKENED.
[22] Professing themselves to be wise, they BECAME FOOLS,
[23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an IMAGE made like to CORRUPTIBLE man , and to BIRDS, and FOURFOOTED BEASTS, and CREEPING things.
[24] Wherefore God also GAVE THEM UP to UNCLEANNESS through the LUSTS of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a LIE, and worshipped and served the CREATURE MORE than the CREATOR, who is blessed for ever. Amen
Every single believer backslides at some point. This is what happens in the background when we do and stop repenting daily.
Gods grace is always there when we go back to Him with a sorrowful heart.
Unless we deny the words of the Holy Spirit. Thats unforgivable.
When paul said in
[21] Because that, WHEN they KNEW God
He wasnt using those words loosely. He was saying they knew Jesus. He would NEVER contradict Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We need to take those words seriously.
Those are powerful words. Knowing OF OF God does not mean to KNOW KNOW God.
Paul switched gears from 20 to 21 as he did 17 to 18.
Even we So since we cannot KNOW God except through Jesus Christ ONLY, can we agree that romans 1 21 - 25 is about the saved backsliding?
John 14 KJV
[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
[7] If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
KJV
Romans 1.........57ad
[21] Because that, WHEN they KNEW God,
they glorified him NOT as God, neither were thankful; but BECAME VAIN in their IMAGINATIONS, and their foolish heart WAS DARKENED.
[22] Professing themselves to be wise, they BECAME FOOLS,
[23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an IMAGE made like to CORRUPTIBLE man , and to BIRDS, and FOURFOOTED BEASTS, and CREEPING things.
[24] Wherefore God also GAVE THEM UP to UNCLEANNESS through the LUSTS of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
[25] Who changed the truth of God into a LIE, and worshipped and served the CREATURE MORE than the CREATOR, who is blessed for ever. Amen
Every single believer backslides at some point. This is what happens in the background when we do and stop repenting daily.
Gods grace is always there when we go back to Him with a sorrowful heart.
Unless we deny the words of the Holy Spirit. Thats unforgivable.
When paul said in
[21] Because that, WHEN they KNEW God
He wasnt using those words loosely. He was saying they knew Jesus. He would NEVER contradict Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We need to take those words seriously.
Those are powerful words. Knowing OF OF God does not mean to KNOW KNOW God.
Paul switched gears from 20 to 21 as he did 17 to 18.
Even we saved have no excuse when we abandon our faith.
Bless you.
What if you marry an unbeliever. Then feel remorse for breaking God’s command not to be Unequally yoked.
The Bible is very clear that the believer should not leave the unbeliever they married because of their unbelief alone. So they’ve sinned, but need to repent. Confess the sin to God.
Sometimes with sin, we will still have to deal with the consequences. But that doesn’t mean that the person isn’t saved.
‘22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know-
23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.’ (Acts 2:22-23, ESV). But you can see what happened to them here:
‘37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."
40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.’ (Acts 2:37-41, ESV)
They could not undo what they had already done - but they could be saved if they repented and believed.
David, who had Uriah killed, couldn’t undo what he had done. But:
‘14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.’ (Psalms 51:14, ESV)
There is nothing David can do but be broken and contrite about his sin. And a broken and contrite heart He will not despise.
So confess your sin, acknowledge it to God, and believe His Word, that all who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life; that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, ESV).
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Since Once Saved Always Saved isn't biblical, someone can be truly saved but then lose their salvation. But thankfully, by the grace of God, we can be brought back. Whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins
If someone can loose their salvation then you are basing things on works righteousness rather than what Jesus Christ did at the cross. The Bible teaches that we are not saved by works righteousness. The King James Bible does not teach that believers can loose their salvation.
@We Had Enough With Hook-Up Culture & Dating! how is that based on works righteousness? God gave us free will to choose to follow him and someone who was saved may lose their faith and choose to forego their salvation. It's sad, but it does happen. But thankfully, we may repent and regain salvation. It doesn't in any way undermine Jesus's work.
@DammitWaze once you aew saved, you're always saved. If you think you can then ask yourself, You May KNOW That You Have Eternal Life” 1 John 5:13
That means nothing. There will be many in the last days who think they're saved, and not. 1 John 2:19 describes those who claim to have been saved.
Sorry buddy, once saved always saved is very biblical and I'm guessing the losing your salvation verses you've got are Hebrews 6 etc. Taken out of context.
@@WC3isBetterThanReforgedpeople who forgot their salvation weren't saved. You cannot give up a gift that you didn't earn.
@frosty_soda if you give your 16 year old son a car for his birthday and he neglects to put oil or transmission fluid in it, he can very easily lose a free gift he didn't deserve. I think the idea you can't give up a free gift actually dishonors Jesus's sacrifice because it cheapens the value of his gift just like the kid with a car.
Oh man, this is really bad, and verging on actual heresy. Those once in Christ falling away and no longer being in Christ, that’s not a doctrine that is up for debate.
Backslider isn’t a Biblical term. Paul does call the Corinthians carnal believers (still calling them brethren and have the mind of Christ).
This whole video and really channel begins with the assumption believers somehow cannot live in repentant sin. Of course I am sure this man will admit we are never sinless, so he really means SOME sin. I guess of some special category or magnitude. This thinking gets really subjective. And I’d argue no one can have any assurance by looking towards works.