Backsliding or Never Having Slid Forward

When we witness someone who claimed and still claim to be Christian who is reverting back to the way they were before they were a Christian we may be seeing someone who never had a born-again experience.

Often in old age, those who were pretenders throw off all the pretense because they are too old and tired to keep it up so they let everything they have always been come out without restraint.

We have seen many who do not grow in their faith over the years and are brothers and sisters but when someone regresses into nastiness without shame over it we are likely observing one who became a Christian on his own terms and never was broken over his sinful heart.

Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

It is a good thing to challenge these people to go to prayer and ask God if they are truly born-again. If they become angry you may have your answer, if they say they are sure they are and can explain why they think so in Biblical terms then perhaps they are backslidden believers who need the discipline of God to return to obedience.

It's not up to us to decide who is going to heaven or hell but God did say we know them by their fruit of the Spirit, if they have none we can challenge them, and perhaps it will cause them to go to God to make sure of their salvation.

2 Corinthians 13:5-6 " 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless you actually fail the test? 6 And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test.…"

After many years of walking with Christ and growing in holiness we no longer have to examine if we are in the faith but we must examine ourselves often to see if we are in obedience to Christ Who lives in us.

Hebrews 12:6-8

"6 For whom the Lord loves He disciplines,

And He punishes every son whom He accepts.”

7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

8 But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons."