Oct – 27 – DO NOT DRAW BACK!

“But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:39).

In these final days, many believers are with zeal in moving ahead for God. But at the same time, a few people backslide being unable to withstand the tests.  They lose the presence of God and turn worse as they slide. But when you move ahead, your soul will stay as saved.

Once, a person was about to face capital punishment. The believers fought in prayer day and night, fasted for many days and succeeded in getting his release from the prison. But after release, that man forgot Jesus Christ and also the believers who had prayed for him. Thus, he went into the full backsliding experience. The persons who prayed for him said sadly, “That man had promised that he would build a church for Christ if he gets released. He has forgotten the promise now and he is building a Hindu temple instead.”

What is the reason behind this backsliding? The prime reason is that such people do not have deep repentance and deep love of Calvary. Jesus Christ said, “But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away” (Luke 8:13).

Some more people are affected by lust over properties, gold, fame and as a result, they leave the divine love and go behind the worldly pleasures. One person came nearer to Jesus Christ, rendered witness but due to a family property settlement he had to change tracks. He said, “I am only temporarily going away from Christ. After four years, I will come back to the Christian fold.” How dangerous this is! If he faces the end of life before that four years, will he not have to go to hell? Will not the flame of fire be his end?

The Scripture says, “For yet a little while and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:37, 38). If a person slides back, he loses the presence of God and also the early love. God also will not be pleased with him.

Dear children of God, if one slides down from Christ, where else he could go? Think a little. May you be bound with the love of God and stay in prayer and Scripture reading every day.

To meditate: “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest; let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1).