Subject: Can a person push God too far?? |
Bible Note: You asked: "Does any form of the word backslide appear anywhere in the NT? If so, could you please give the book, chapter and verse where it does." Sure. For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. Heb. 2:1 (NASB) To "drift away" is the same as backslide In Rev. 3:16 the word "lukewarm" describes a backsliding church. Rev. 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (KJV) The term "lukewarm" is a term for those churches or individuals who have become complacent, and even apethetic. It can be used to describe the Christian who once had a zeal and was on fire for the Lord. They were hot, but now were described as being "lukewarm" and possibly on their way to becoming cold. Luke describes backslidders in this fashion as those who - "look back" after putting his hand to the plow. (Luke 9:62) KJV Heb 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. KJV ("draw back" is the same as backslide. One of Strongs definitions of "draw back" is : - "one stealthily retreating") One last verse also serves as a warning against "departing" from God. This departure is gradual. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (Heb. 3:12) Below is what happens in the life of a backslidder and some clues in how to recognize one. Backsliding is, as the word implies, a sliding back--not a jump off a cliff Initially, the prayer life may be crowded out with other interests--even innocent pastimes: sports, hobbies, television. As we fill our hearts and lives with junk food, our hunger for the Word diminishes. And Church attendance usually slackens off. The backslidden persons sensitivity to spiritual things is not what it used to be, we may sense very little guilt. The further they stray, the more distant the voice of God becomes. Finally the Old Testament says: Mal 3:6 For I [am] the LORD, I change not; which echos the same thing we find in the New Testament where we read: Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. The same God of the Old testament is also the same God of the New Testament. |