DECEMBER 26
It's LOGIC: There's no way to do enough good to get into heaven
so logically, doing bad doesn't disqualify /
send us to hell after we've asked Jesus to be our LORD.
THERE'S A LOT OF COMFORT in this,
especially after what is usually a
self-centered day focused on pleasures.
But just because we ARE confident to be
avoiding hell after asking Jesus to be our LORD (see First John)
doesn't mean we should be
satisfied with self-centered sinnings,
including
over-eating.
Some Christians say there is no such thing as backsliding.
That
sentence indicates a profound lack of Bible study; just check any
concordance.
The confusion comes because there are two definitions.
For God's Grace described through His Word clearly says that
our good
deeds do not earn heaven,
and our sins once we have accepted Jesus as
our Savior
therefore do not return us to being destined for hell.
So
we can't backslide from salvation back into damnation after accepting
Jesus as our Lord, praying a prayer such as Romans 10:9.
But God Himself
repeatedly uses the word “backsliding” or
“backslidings” plural,
and related meanings, to show our
CHOICE to move
away from obedience to Him.
Our CHOICE to reject God's way and do
what we want,
even if saved by Grace through Christ Jesus.
As you hear
these examples of God's Words below,
don't think just about punishments and
God's anger;
listen to the hurt we are causing our Almighty and
Loving
God in response for all His love for us:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual
backsliding? They hold fast to
DECEIT, They refuse to return.” -- This
is God's question through Jeremiah 8:5
(You cannot return from where you've never been; they WERE following God in past.)
“Why do you boast in the valleys, Your flowing valley, O backsliding
daughter
who trusted in her treasures, saying, 'Who will come against
me?'”
-- This is God's question to people and nations confident in their riches, Jeremiah 49:4
My people are bent on backsliding from Me.
Though they call to the Most
High, None at all exalt Him.”
-- This is God's accusation of religious
people through Hosea 11:7
from selections of JEREMIAH 5, verses 2 to 10
"Though they say, 'As the LORD lives,' surely they swear falsely. O
LORD, are not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, But they
have not grieved; You have consumed them, But they have refused to
receive correction.... their transgressions are many; Their
backslidings have increased.” --- This is God's Warning not just to
ancient Israel, but to us all.
For God wants ALL to be saved: 2
Peter 3:9, and John 3:16-17 are not exclusively for Israelites.
"I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.”
This is God's loving PROMISE through Hosea 14:4, which Jesus fulfilled
by bringing a WAY to be healed from our sins and backslidings -- if we just ask Him.
See First John Chapter One.
NOT FOR HEAVEN
BUT FOR HIM:
LET US STOP HURTING GOD WITH SIN.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus,
I thank you so much for Your
undeserved love and grace.
Please help me to obey you -- to be your
friend like you described,
like you invited in John 14 and John 15.
Not just for me,
but so that I can give joy to YOU as a friend.
I need
your help to obey.
I ask forgiveness for past sinning and for strength
and wisdom
to stand for what You say is right. I pray in Your Holy
Name.
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©2014 (registered with USCO) by DianaDee Osborne (all material),
all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format. Additional encouraging resources at
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com
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