Intersting comments. I can understand the doubts people have and
the worry they may drift away from God etc.
I use to think the same, but then I realised that people who are truely saved know
God and He knows them.
John 10:27-30 NKJV
[27] My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. [28] And I
give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch
them out of My hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than
all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. [30] I and My Father are one."
I think for most people there are times in life when we are not as close to God as we should
be. All sorts of things get in the way, stress, death of loved ones, depression,
work problems, money problems, let down by other Christians, house problems etc the
list is endless.
In my experience and from what I have seen of others, we are gently wowed back to the fold
where the issue is difficult times. When there appears to be a disipleship issue we are corrected,
where people go off the rails backslide the Holy Spirit seems to follow them around
prodding and convicting at evey step along the way.
Even the luke warm church wasn't just abandoned, it was given a warning.
I've seen God pursue people and never let up until they come back to the foot of the cross.
I remember a testimony of one person an evangelist, who was on a long journey back
home and was tired when he saw a hitch hiker at the road side. He wasn't the sort of person
who would stop for a hitch hiker but this time, he felt compelled to do so.
They got talking and the evangelist explained he had just been at a church mission weekend and
was on his way home.
The hitch hiker was amazed and said he was the 4th person to give him a lift that day who was
a Christian. Then he told an amazing story of how he use to be a Christian but had turned his
back on God. But for the past few weeks every person he came across seemed to be a Christian
dead keen on telling him of God's love.
So the evangelist was able to take up the conversation where the others had left off and during
that trip , he led the hitch hiker on a journey of repentance and a sheep returning to the fold.
Isn't this just a wonderful picture of God rescuing one of His sheep come what may. Also
look at the story of the prodigal son, the father was more than willing to meet the son, He was
out looking for Him.
So yes while it is important not to play with God and put Him to the test by walking
away from God. God pursues us!
Did you know that?
Its astounding that the Good Shepherd will track down any lost sheep and find them.
We think we do the seeking and finding, but the truth is that it is God who lays
that trail of bread crumbs and stands. Seeking and finding is not like playing a
game of hide and seek, God is hidden in plain site with a big FIND ME arrow pointing
to Him.
It is possible for God's sheep to know Him and know they are secure in God's fold.