Showing posts with label 2 corinthians. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Christian Backsliders
Yesterday, I received a sad news about a dear friend who might lost her way from the path to a good relationship with Christ. It was so surprising to learn that story as we never imagined that it could happen to her. It got me asking myself, how can be a strong and matured Christian swayed away from his/her belief? What made her do that and what are the factors that might have contributed to drift away. My devotion today is about the probable reasons why some Christians are backsliding and how can we help them and avoid such situation.
I am not an expert in defining backsliding but in my understanding, it is a point where there is a spiritual regress and disobedience. It may also mean perpetual state of willful rebellion. In bible we have references for this. Jeremiah 3:22 (Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding. Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God) and Jeremiah 31:22 (How long will you wander, unfaithful Daughter Israel? The Lord will create a new thing on earth— the woman will return to the man). In these verses, the important words are faithless and unfaithful which have the same meaning.
There are many reasons that we can itemize and think of. I have been to this situation before but I am glad that I have managed to bounce back and enlighten the fire again. In my experience, I realized some of the aspects that might result to backslide could be:
- Refusal to Face Their Own Guilt. Yes, sometimes they will be questioning their mistakes and incorrect actions and try to defend them. They often not think of the danger that will come to them if they do not receive forgiveness for wrongs done. Since they have committed disobedience, they are thinking to harden their hearts and will choose such a way to harden more to avoid the wrath that they might receive.
- Fear of Condemnation. Truly, there is no condemnation in Christ. But backsliders are thinking that if their church leaders give them advice and provide other solution, for them, it is condemnation and it will lead to inquest them and question their own cleanliness. They become proud and they will not listen to any words that they will receive and this will also head to rebellion.
- Full of Pride. I think this one is the totality of the previous items. Backsliders will think low about gospel and His words. They will try to uphold their reasoning and will put in their mind that there is nothing wrong to enjoy some things as we only live once. The way they will shield their ways of life will become stronger.
- The Listen to the World. They will stop living a holy life because they will accept advice from unsaved people whether it could be family or friends. They could also be influenced by what they see in television, movies and even social media. The trouble will start once they also pay attention to the temporal things in this world.
- Poor Examples. We cannot deny that there are some bad examples that surround the Christian life. It could be a church leader or a friend in their own lifegroup. Once these bad samples caught the eye of a believer, they might be questioning their faith and will query on the validity of their status.
Hebrews 6:4-6 (4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen[a] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.)
So how can we help the backsliders? We can pray for them. It actually depends on the situation and the level of disobedience. It is not easy to let them understand and could result to arguments. But if there is a chance, try to be reasonable if there is a possible discussion. As they say, prayer is the most powerful thing that we have. As for the believer, we can avoid to backslide by focusing our eyes to the Lord. Some people can let us down but with Christ, we can always count on Him. We should always examine our faith, 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?). Come to Him for forgiveness and seek Him every day. Stay in His words and be surrounded by other believers.
Image take from ladysmithbaptist.co.za
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Love Indeed
I always say that it is better late than never, this post should have been published during the valentines season but because of many reasons (I know I know, excuses!) I couldn't find a perfect timing to write this. Anyway, it was a blessful preach from Ps. Christie last 13th of February and she constantly saying that love isn't just a romantic feeling. There are many forms of love such as love to parents, siblings, friends or even country (nationalism???). But the main point of the discussion was looking for someone to share with your passion, dreams and future.
In 2 Corinthians 6:14 (Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?). Ps. christie said that if we have a relationship with non-believer, we shouldn't judge them or make a distance from them. Instead, we can still love them and we should lead them into the path of true love and happiness. Also in 1 Corinthians 7:12-13 (To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.), a couple shouldn't divorce if one of them is not a believer.
Ps. Christie also pointed out two major guidelines in waiting for that "someone".1.) Look only with marriage in mind. - Of course if we want a relationship we should also consider someone who has plans for the future and true to commitment. He/She should have a stable job and financially stable. But of course, look for someone who is emotionally and spiritually stable. Just remember that we are complete and whole in Jesus.
2.) Wait for God's time. - He has the best and perfect timing for our lives. He knows when is the correct day on which we will face that someone and share the love with for our entire life. Let Him do the work and don't jump into someone immediately if you just feel that you need to get married the soonest. If that someone davalues you, then run away from that one.
The best of all, I think we should put these three important standards in looking for someone: (a) there is a growth in spirit / (b) servant of God / (c) one with a kind heart. Also, always remember this verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 (It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;), in short: No SEX before marriage. But what is true love? It's in 1 John 3:16 (This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.), it is the sacrifice of Jesus to save us and not thinking only about Himself.
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Year of God's Supernatural Increase
Yesterday was such a fulfilling Sunday service with Pastor Christie. It was her first preach for the year after her interesting and enjoyable vacation in Bhutan. The main verse of the sermon was:
2 Corinthians 9:10 - Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
She claimed and we all claimed that this year will be the year of supernatural increase and the one behind it is non other than Him. On the above verse, seed may pertains to job, knowledge, etc. They will be increased not just in the quantity manner but also increase in annointing, increase on the power or anything that you and that our finance will be increasingly getting healthier... wow and Amen! It was also emphasized that God is the one who supplies, increases, multiplies and enlarges all that we have.
On the last quarter of 2010, after I received several amounts of money from my previous company, I divided it to my savings, property and other expenses. I wasn't able to budget about my house shifting, it really got out of my mind. I was really hesitant to use my savings and my budget is enough for that month (yeah, I do monthly budgetting via Excel). So I asked God for assistance and signs if I should use the savings and deduct some amount. Surprisingly, my previous company contacted and informed me that I have a cheque waiting for me and inquired for my bank account. It was the pending amount returnable of my contributions to our internal provident fund. I was delighted that time and praised and thanked Him for that unexpected blessing!
1 Corinthians 3:7 - So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
On the above verse, it is cyrstal clear that God is the one behind the increase whether if it they are victories, promotion, financial aspects or even lovelife. In everything that we do, we must put Jesus first and we will never get wrong. Pastor Christine also shared that story of Moses, about that 40 years of exploration going to the promise land but the people were so doubtful and have a lot of questions. The lessons I learned from the story is that never struck the rock (Jesus) but speak to Him. Speak what you believe. We are not suppose to condemn others but believe that there is always hope, forgiveness and new beginning with Jesus.
Ephisians 3:20-21 - 20) Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21) to Him be glory in the church and througout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Start the year with Jesus, there is always hope, never give up. He will give us more than we ask for, all the blessings that we have now will be increased and wil come a moment that it will come to us overflowing and immeasurably.
She claimed and we all claimed that this year will be the year of supernatural increase and the one behind it is non other than Him. On the above verse, seed may pertains to job, knowledge, etc. They will be increased not just in the quantity manner but also increase in annointing, increase on the power or anything that you and that our finance will be increasingly getting healthier... wow and Amen! It was also emphasized that God is the one who supplies, increases, multiplies and enlarges all that we have.
On the last quarter of 2010, after I received several amounts of money from my previous company, I divided it to my savings, property and other expenses. I wasn't able to budget about my house shifting, it really got out of my mind. I was really hesitant to use my savings and my budget is enough for that month (yeah, I do monthly budgetting via Excel). So I asked God for assistance and signs if I should use the savings and deduct some amount. Surprisingly, my previous company contacted and informed me that I have a cheque waiting for me and inquired for my bank account. It was the pending amount returnable of my contributions to our internal provident fund. I was delighted that time and praised and thanked Him for that unexpected blessing!
1 Corinthians 3:7 - So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
On the above verse, it is cyrstal clear that God is the one behind the increase whether if it they are victories, promotion, financial aspects or even lovelife. In everything that we do, we must put Jesus first and we will never get wrong. Pastor Christine also shared that story of Moses, about that 40 years of exploration going to the promise land but the people were so doubtful and have a lot of questions. The lessons I learned from the story is that never struck the rock (Jesus) but speak to Him. Speak what you believe. We are not suppose to condemn others but believe that there is always hope, forgiveness and new beginning with Jesus.
Ephisians 3:20-21 - 20) Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21) to Him be glory in the church and througout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Start the year with Jesus, there is always hope, never give up. He will give us more than we ask for, all the blessings that we have now will be increased and wil come a moment that it will come to us overflowing and immeasurably.
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