SAVE YOURSELF FROM BACKSLIDING
By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi
John 6:60,66 "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?..From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. "
The first time a person comes to the lord is usually for the purpose of a need to be met, this is why miracles take place in the church. God wants our needs met and beyond that He is seeking for true worshipers who will become disciples and instruments in meeting the needs of others.
Discipleship requires standing for the truth at all times, this requires a high level of discipline and willingness to take on responsibilities. It is this aspect of following Christ that most persons are least interested in because it requires selflessness . The average parishioner struggles with selfishness which is behind over ninety percent of the crisis we face on a daily bases. Research shows that those committed to converting souls to christ and the purpose for the establishment of the church is about 10% of the population in the average church, 80% are lukewarm or part time parishioner , while the remaining 10% are spiritually inactive, they are spectators with no interest in church activities. The scriptures says in Matthew 22:14" For many are called, but few are chosen. "
It is this majority in the church being lukewarm that has exposed the church to so much negative press. Out of over a hundred disciples that worked with Jesus the majority left when He demanded for a higher level of commitment from them. He was left with twelve and yet was able to fulfill His mission on earth, a confirmation that God isn't limited by demographics, it took one man Joseph to save Egypt, another man Jonah to save a whole nation Nineveh, it took Daniel and his three friends to change the political and spiritual landscape of ancient Babylon.
It wasn't Jesus fault that they abandoned Him that's why no teacher of God’s word should ever feel guilty or allow themselves be condemned for the exit of persons from their lives.It is proof, that such a teacher is uncompromisingly righteous. The fleshy nature of man is incompatible with the character of the Holy Spirit, the scriptures says Galatians 5:17 AMP "For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do." In John 6:66 the bible says" they worked no more with Him" because of their being carnally motivated, that did not change Jesus pattern of teaching as some preachers avoid teaching sound doctrines for the fear of offending the lukewarm. This is tantamount to a college teacher giving kindergarten styled examination questions for the fear of offending them with the rigors of college grade exams. Such christians never grow in the things of the spirit and are prone to exploitation and abuse by the agents of darkness.
Whenever one feels the need to take a break from church activities, the process of backsliding is automatically activated (Rev.3:15,16) the consequences of this state of mind is that one seizes to be God's mouth piece. Persons who once we're attracted to us because of what was perceived as godliness soon withdraw thus exposing us to fraudsters . Immediate repentance is the cure from the adverse effects of losing one's "first love" for Jesus ( Rev2:4-5)
It is very easy to lose sight of the heavenly goal once a person is full of his or her own ways (Proverbs 14:14). Many persons because of competitiveness have given themselves unrealistic deadlines and allowed it determine how they worship God . God isn't obligated to answer a requests whose outcome isn't of any benefit to the propagation of the gospel considering the fact that the persons making such requests have not being faithful with the little that was given them. Such persons have idols in their hearts, these idols compete with God for their hearts (Ezekiel 14:7-8,1Tim 6:9) therefore, when God doesn't respond to these unreasonable requests these persons take offense . The scriptures says in Luke 16:11" If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? " God doesn't commit genuine articles to unfaithful persons. That's why unfaithful folks are most likely to marry each other.The backsliding person doesn't believe it is profitable to live according to God's word (Malachi3:14) therefore he or she quits during difficult times ( Matthew 13:20-21 ) or wants to get paid to serve God(.John10:12-13).
Some of the factors that lead to backsliding include an addiction to worldly pleasures and love for money (Hebrews 11 :14-15, Matthew 13:22),not being informed in the word of the Lord (Matt :726-27,1Tim1:19) .Being angry every time the truth of God's word is taught (Ephesians 4:18-19,prov.29:1, Hebrews 12:15) and a double-minded approach to scriptures while holding on to occultism which contradict scriptures (Acts19:19, Hosea 10:2,James 1:6-8). Pride and the refusal to receive correction (Proverbs.15:10,Job33:9,10),secret sins (Prov.28:13). Spending more time with church haters than church folks ( James4:4,Proverbs 13:20),always murmuring about church activities while forgetting past benefits from the church ( Numbers 14:27-30)
Backsliding leads to loss of sensitivity thus making one vulnerable to disaster , the lord always warns us of impending danger before they occur (Amos 3:3)but due to loss of hearing and sight caused by backsliding we run into it. As we repent and return back to the word and the church family , we receive healing Rev.3:18. As you read this now, receive grace for revival in your prayer life and the revelation of God’s word in Jesus name.
Prayers/Counseling +234 8035536911,+234 8098536911
email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
John 6:60,66 "Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?..From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. "
The first time a person comes to the lord is usually for the purpose of a need to be met, this is why miracles take place in the church. God wants our needs met and beyond that He is seeking for true worshipers who will become disciples and instruments in meeting the needs of others.
Discipleship requires standing for the truth at all times, this requires a high level of discipline and willingness to take on responsibilities. It is this aspect of following Christ that most persons are least interested in because it requires selflessness . The average parishioner struggles with selfishness which is behind over ninety percent of the crisis we face on a daily bases. Research shows that those committed to converting souls to christ and the purpose for the establishment of the church is about 10% of the population in the average church, 80% are lukewarm or part time parishioner , while the remaining 10% are spiritually inactive, they are spectators with no interest in church activities. The scriptures says in Matthew 22:14" For many are called, but few are chosen. "
It is this majority in the church being lukewarm that has exposed the church to so much negative press. Out of over a hundred disciples that worked with Jesus the majority left when He demanded for a higher level of commitment from them. He was left with twelve and yet was able to fulfill His mission on earth, a confirmation that God isn't limited by demographics, it took one man Joseph to save Egypt, another man Jonah to save a whole nation Nineveh, it took Daniel and his three friends to change the political and spiritual landscape of ancient Babylon.
It wasn't Jesus fault that they abandoned Him that's why no teacher of God’s word should ever feel guilty or allow themselves be condemned for the exit of persons from their lives.It is proof, that such a teacher is uncompromisingly righteous. The fleshy nature of man is incompatible with the character of the Holy Spirit, the scriptures says Galatians 5:17 AMP "For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do." In John 6:66 the bible says" they worked no more with Him" because of their being carnally motivated, that did not change Jesus pattern of teaching as some preachers avoid teaching sound doctrines for the fear of offending the lukewarm. This is tantamount to a college teacher giving kindergarten styled examination questions for the fear of offending them with the rigors of college grade exams. Such christians never grow in the things of the spirit and are prone to exploitation and abuse by the agents of darkness.
Whenever one feels the need to take a break from church activities, the process of backsliding is automatically activated (Rev.3:15,16) the consequences of this state of mind is that one seizes to be God's mouth piece. Persons who once we're attracted to us because of what was perceived as godliness soon withdraw thus exposing us to fraudsters . Immediate repentance is the cure from the adverse effects of losing one's "first love" for Jesus ( Rev2:4-5)
It is very easy to lose sight of the heavenly goal once a person is full of his or her own ways (Proverbs 14:14). Many persons because of competitiveness have given themselves unrealistic deadlines and allowed it determine how they worship God . God isn't obligated to answer a requests whose outcome isn't of any benefit to the propagation of the gospel considering the fact that the persons making such requests have not being faithful with the little that was given them. Such persons have idols in their hearts, these idols compete with God for their hearts (Ezekiel 14:7-8,1Tim 6:9) therefore, when God doesn't respond to these unreasonable requests these persons take offense . The scriptures says in Luke 16:11" If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? " God doesn't commit genuine articles to unfaithful persons. That's why unfaithful folks are most likely to marry each other.The backsliding person doesn't believe it is profitable to live according to God's word (Malachi3:14) therefore he or she quits during difficult times ( Matthew 13:20-21 ) or wants to get paid to serve God(.John10:12-13).
Some of the factors that lead to backsliding include an addiction to worldly pleasures and love for money (Hebrews 11 :14-15, Matthew 13:22),not being informed in the word of the Lord (Matt :726-27,1Tim1:19) .Being angry every time the truth of God's word is taught (Ephesians 4:18-19,prov.29:1, Hebrews 12:15) and a double-minded approach to scriptures while holding on to occultism which contradict scriptures (Acts19:19, Hosea 10:2,James 1:6-8). Pride and the refusal to receive correction (Proverbs.15:10,Job33:9,10),secret sins (Prov.28:13). Spending more time with church haters than church folks ( James4:4,Proverbs 13:20),always murmuring about church activities while forgetting past benefits from the church ( Numbers 14:27-30)
Backsliding leads to loss of sensitivity thus making one vulnerable to disaster , the lord always warns us of impending danger before they occur (Amos 3:3)but due to loss of hearing and sight caused by backsliding we run into it. As we repent and return back to the word and the church family , we receive healing Rev.3:18. As you read this now, receive grace for revival in your prayer life and the revelation of God’s word in Jesus name.
Prayers/Counseling +234 8035536911,+234 8098536911
email: michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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