Hope for the Backslider
There is certainly hope for the backslider for Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). He declared, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). God invites all sinners to come to Him that He may heal and cleanse them from all sin.
Paul persecuted and killed Christians, but when the Lord Jesus appeared to him and changed his life, he became one of God’s great disciples. The Lord can do the same change for all that want to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4) that no one should perish (2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 18:32).
In order for a sinner to receive salvation, he must believe and trust In Jesus. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). Then, God will cover him with the righteousness of Christ (Romans 3:22).
To all those who believe in His name, God gave the right to become His children (John 1:12), and He gives the promise “‘Because he loves me,’ says the LORD, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him’” (Psalm 91:14–16).
But the backslider has to turn away from his sin and repent. The Bible teaches, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Repentance and conversion are the basis of the genuine Christian experience.
The work of conversion and change is aided by the power of the Holy Spirit. But God’s Spirit cannot do His work until a sinner is willing to let Him take hold of his life. The Lord says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).
By daily connecting to the Lord through the study of His Word and prayer, the backslider can allow the God to operate in his life to do the work of transformation. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). As Christians abide in Christ, He dwells in them and they become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) and reflect His image (Genesis 1:26,27).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
