Backsliding

[Quickened]

I've never backslid. I've been a believer for 2 of my 39 years.
I think people backslide, because Satan is powerful and we are weak. In my two years, I have seen the people who are successfully walking with him are doing several things to be faithful to God. Staying withing a body of believers, serving the less fortunate. (even if we are some of the least fortunate)
Oh, I am not without sin, but I haven't turned my back on God. I was broken when he found me.

If you dont mind me asking... what are we defining "backslid" as? Are you saying that you have not sinned in these 2 years being a believer? I ask for personal clarification.

[9Marksfan]

In no way do I believe that someone who has fallen away from God was never a Christian in the first place.

So do you believe that 100% of people who claim to have become Christians and have continued for a while - maybe even years - but who fall away and never return - were ALL genuinely saved in the first place?

[Pilgrimtozion]

I'm just posting a precautionary warning here that this is MiC - a non-debate forum, not Bible Chat. Let's stick to the OP's topic and while discussion is fine, not end up debating OSAS vs. NOSAS.

[SweetSomber]

If you dont mind me asking... what are we defining "backslid" as? Are you saying that you have not sinned in these 2 years being a believer? I ask for personal clarification.

I second this question.

How are we defining backsliding here?

Sinning? Turning our back on God forever? Slipping into a time in our life when we just don't really care quite so much about serving God?

[Pilgrimtozion]

I second this question.

How are we defining backsliding here?

Sinning? Turning our back on God forever? Slipping into a time in our life when we just don't really care quite so much about serving God?

I do believe the OP already answered her definition of that:

I'm pretty open about my life, and was saved 35 years ago, but there was a period of 8 years where I completely turned away from God. It had even gotten to the point where I was starting to question if God was even real. Amazing, isn't it? To have walked with God, know his goodness, and then just throw it away for so long.

[SweetSomber]

Well that's a great example, but it's not a definition. Like, If someone doesn't go to church for, just two years, not 8, does that count?

Or what if a person keep going to church and being active, but for a couple years is distant from God, cold, critical and just "busy" with no love of life in them - the outward is still there, but inwardly is gone from God - is that backsliding?

[WalkInChrist]

AmyFlorida, take no offend. But I believe:
You never knew Christ until you went home crying after the church.

And I also line up with Softy in this manner. Disobeying God intentionally in a long period of time after being "born again" is not easy at all, or may I say almost impossible.

[AmyFlorida]

I don't know this "backsliding" that you speak of. That makes our walk with the Lord seem like an uphill battle on a slippery slope, when the Word says that our feet are planted on the Rock of our salvation. Nothing slippery about Him, is there?

"Backsliding" is just a general term for the condition of a born again Christian being in disobedience for a period of time, be it extended or otherwise. I think it was 70's slang actually, but an extremly common phrase used in the churches I've been in, mostly Baptist, over the years.

[AmyFlorida]

AmyFlorida, take no offend. But I believe:
You never knew Christ until you went home crying after the church.

And I also line up with Softy in this manner. Disobeying God intentionally in a long period of time after being "born again" is not easy at all, or may I say almost impossible.

I'm not offended at all, and I'm glad you don't have this experience. God knows my heart, and I'll ask Him when I get home to heaven. Come on, group hug. .

[Quickened]

I do believe the OP already answered her definition of that:

I will take this moment to null my initial question to tt1106. I just reread the users post and read

Oh, I am not without sin, but I haven't turned my back on God.

I missed that the first time through. I must admit though i was thrown off when i read

I've never backslid. I've been a believer for 2 of my 39 years

From my years in my walk with Christ i have seen that people use "backslid" in different terms. For example if i abused alcohol to the point of drunkness then i would have backslid into a sin i formerly struggled with. People use the term to mean different things.

Perhaps a putting on of the "former man"? Forsaking our walk with Christ (reading scripture, prayer, devotion, corporate worship) to indulge in the worldly pleasures that we were called out of?

I understand that we will always sin in different degrees as a basic fault of our current state being not fully sactified.

Allow me to pause here as i lost my train of thought. If it returns i will readdress the issue!

Nice to see you again Ben! Look forward to future dialog with you on the board

AmyFlorida, take no offend. But I believe:
You never knew Christ until you went home crying after the church.

I mean no offense but why do you believe this? People arent structured emotionally the exact same. Did i weep over my sinful state upon Christ opening my eyes and becoming quickened to his truth? Yes i did.

People in the scriptures react to God differently when confronted with him. Some are immediately obedient (paul) others take some time (Jonah).

Do we all mourn the same? If our parents die do we fall into the exact same state of depression? The obvious answer to that is no. We certainly cannot gauge our salvation on our emotions

[Bob Carabbio]

As one who has been there, and still climbing back, the simple answer is one of neglect - starts slowly - something gets more "important" than going to church, and so you don't - more and more frequently, and nothing changes - it seems, and then you don't seem to have time for the Word, and nothing changes - it seems. And gradually you drift away, and the Vibrant life in the Spirit gradually becomes the MEMORY of having had a vibrant life in the Spirit - and gradually the memory fades, and it becomes hard to believe that there WAS a time when it was all vibrantly alive - at least it seemed as though it was - And you realize that there's no "faith" anymore - no reality to any of it - a dead belief that no longer has any "power". And you're not sure HOW you got there, and no longer that interested in climbing back - and if God doesn't "Call" again - it's over.

In my case he DID call - and used health issues to "Get my attention" - again.

[Equipped_4_Love]

So do you believe that 100% of people who claim to have become Christians and have continued for a while - maybe even years - but who fall away and never return - were ALL genuinely saved in the first place?

No...................

[9Marksfan]

No...................

Doesn't that contradict your "in no way" comment, then?

[Equipped_4_Love]

Doesn't that contradict your "in no way" comment, then?

No, not really....You used the word all, and not some, in your original statement.

Please, Mark...I have wrestled with this question for some time, and I believe that the Holy Spirit has brought me to a conclusion. I have neither the energy nor the endurance to debate the OSAS/NOSAS issue....for the record, though, I do not believe in the OSAS doctrine.

Please....there are plenty of other threads for that discussion.

[tt1106]

In the interest of fellowship, I am going to close this thread now.