“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, And he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”
Hebrews 10:32-39 KJV
Goodmorning Beloved of God, as uncertainty of the future and afflictions has drifted many from the faith, there still remains the possibility to come back. We continue our study on a message to the backslidden. Let’s dive into the Word…
In the first part of this study (A message for the backslidden (part 1),the people of Israel recognized their sin and pleaded, Moses received instruction from God on their behalf. As strange as the instruction was, John 3:14-15 teaches us that as Moses lifted up the serpent so was Jesus lifted up, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. The issue then of backsliding is a result of taking our eyes off Jesus and allowing “self” overtake us. The issue of many falling away in the faith is not merely a result of affliction, but when affliction occurs, it proves where our confidence and affection have been based, either in the flesh or our faith was dependent on benefits.
Beloved, the seed of deception of the serpent from Genesis is only dealt with when we continually set our eyes on Jesus. The Lord hence beckons us to call to remembrance the former days when we received light, the light of the knowledge of God. And amidst this, came battles which we overcame knowing of the better inheritance we have. But hereinafter we recognize the warning Paul gives, not to cast away our confidence. Many have backslidden, as a result of the lack of confidence in the promises of God, and have been frustrated in understanding the will of God. For in pursuing and fulfilling His will lies our reward. But the most important is to have the mindset of the exceeding great promises of our Father, not merely to prosper us , but His very own presence being our reward and our portion (Psalm 73:26, 16:5), and to continue in faith which can be counted unto us as righteousness.
Hence Beloved, whether or not we live to see the promises fulfilled, the greater reward is as the Patriarchs and the disciples who even suffered persecution regarded. Abraham had faith, faith in the promises of God and it was counted to Him as righteousness, he pursued God to the extent that He sought a place whose foundation and builder was God(Hebrews 11: 8-10). Paul also pursued confidently in God, with confidence that nothing can separate him from the love of God (Romans 8:37-39). Dear backslidden, this is what the Lord wants you to know today, your faith might have been based on the wrong things. Your pursuit might have merely been a chase of things rather than Him, your love might have been fixed on flesh rather than Him. But you are not of those who draw back into perdition but remember where you have fallen and rise again.