Backsliding is the idea of turning away from God's will and setting forth on one's own path. This is dangerous and not a good place to be in because it compromises on your satisfaction in life and God's plan for your life. One might contrast it to Jonah and rebelling against the Lord's leading. I always find his story humorous to say to the others on the ship, "If you want to live you better toss me overboard." The concept of backsliding, however, comes with it a question on eternal security. This could easily turn into a O.S.A.S thread but I rather just make a point.
In defining backsliding we cannot put it in such a way as to make what Christ did at the cross in vain. If we define it as to say we have lost salvation in this "state" then we say that His grace is insufficient. If we say this, all is lost. VVe have no hope. One might argue we still have a hope because we can still repent of our backsliding into His grace. This is one angle that could be taken, but the issue here is that we are tossed to and fro in our assurance, for if in one moment we are sinning and on another day we feel righteous our emotions will be a roller coaster. Saved and then not, to not and then saved. This is absurd and places doubt in what otherwise might be a faith assured. A confidence before the Lord, found in Christ.
Is someone ever so backslid that their salvation is lost? Or does such backsliding only confirm their lack of regeneration? How are we to biblically define backsliding? The only instance I am aware of someone falling from grace is a person placing themselves back under the law to be justified before God. Not having faith in Jesus Christ, but the shadows of the things to come.
So in our defining of backsliding, how do we define it in such a way that it is not contrary to His grace? Rather, how do we define such backsliding in a way that doesn't compromise what Jesus accomplished at the cross with His shed blood? Could it be argued that those that are backsliding are rather ignorant of the victory found in Christ instead of condemned? Do they need revelation instead of condemnation? To be awakened to who they are in Christ, instead of accused to be outside of Him?
It seems backsliding comes with it a lot of Legalism and false doctrines of unifying sanctification and justification as one. So then, what is the solution? How should we define backsliding and also too, how do we overcome backsliding? Maybe the solution is found in revelation. VVho are you in Jesus Christ? Such a question awakens the backsliding person into identity and they realize they are not acting in accordance with who they now are in Jesus. This is where victory is found, instead of condemnation.
In defining backsliding we cannot put it in such a way as to make what Christ did at the cross in vain. If we define it as to say we have lost salvation in this "state" then we say that His grace is insufficient. If we say this, all is lost. VVe have no hope. One might argue we still have a hope because we can still repent of our backsliding into His grace. This is one angle that could be taken, but the issue here is that we are tossed to and fro in our assurance, for if in one moment we are sinning and on another day we feel righteous our emotions will be a roller coaster. Saved and then not, to not and then saved. This is absurd and places doubt in what otherwise might be a faith assured. A confidence before the Lord, found in Christ.
Is someone ever so backslid that their salvation is lost? Or does such backsliding only confirm their lack of regeneration? How are we to biblically define backsliding? The only instance I am aware of someone falling from grace is a person placing themselves back under the law to be justified before God. Not having faith in Jesus Christ, but the shadows of the things to come.
So in our defining of backsliding, how do we define it in such a way that it is not contrary to His grace? Rather, how do we define such backsliding in a way that doesn't compromise what Jesus accomplished at the cross with His shed blood? Could it be argued that those that are backsliding are rather ignorant of the victory found in Christ instead of condemned? Do they need revelation instead of condemnation? To be awakened to who they are in Christ, instead of accused to be outside of Him?
It seems backsliding comes with it a lot of Legalism and false doctrines of unifying sanctification and justification as one. So then, what is the solution? How should we define backsliding and also too, how do we overcome backsliding? Maybe the solution is found in revelation. VVho are you in Jesus Christ? Such a question awakens the backsliding person into identity and they realize they are not acting in accordance with who they now are in Jesus. This is where victory is found, instead of condemnation.
