The Comfort Of God - Bible Witness

The Comfort of Godbackslidden. Backsliding can be described asfalling from the standard of faith, morals andethics required by the Lord in His Word, livingin a condition of being often embarrassedat the Gospel of salvation, and adoptingan inferior way of living (cf. Galatians 5:4;Colossians 1:23; 2 Peter 3:17). It can lead tomuch confusion (cf. Hosea 11:7) and sadness(cf. Jeremiah 2:19). It can also lead one to sufferGod’s severe chastisements (cf. Hebrews 12:11-14).Upon reflection, those who have wanderedfrom God often recognize their miserableposition, loss of zeal and fervency, downwardsteps, neglecting God’s grace and rather thanseeking opportunities to serve God, they usedopportunities to sin (cf. Romans 13:14). Theywill often recognize that they were over-criticalof God’s messages and His messengers, findingit easy to avoid prayer meetings, fellowship,and conversation with Christians, and secretlyenjoy seeing others fall, as it justified their ownactions.God does not desire the backslidden to bemiserable and sorrowful, but to have a godlysorrow for their sin, not a sorrow for havingbeen found out. Those who come back toHim, find rest unto their souls (cf. Matthew11:28).The Cure for BackslidingThe Lord wants His people to recoverfrom their wandering and return to Himby submitting unto Him (cf. James 4:7), bywalking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the lustof the flesh (cf. Galatians 5:16), by walking invictory and not being defeated (cf. Romans6:14; 1 John 5:4, 5), by being conquerors inJesus Christ, seeking things above (cf. Romans8:37; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Colossians 3:1-3), bybeing faithful to God (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:2; 1Timothy 1:12), having compassion for soulsin sin (cf. Jude 22, 23), giving thanks untoGod, “And the peace of God, which passethall understanding, shall keep your hearts andminds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).Let us pray for those who have wanderedthrough a gradual spiritual deterioration (cf.2 Thessalonians 2:11), that they be granteddiscernment and return to the graciousLord, who is full of mercy and compassion,remembering His gracious invitation andpromises to those returning to the Lord inHosea 14:4, that He will love them freely andturn away His anger from them, “I will healtheir backsliding, I will love them freely: formine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea14:4). The promise also for those returning tothe Lord is that He will heal their backsliding(cf. Jeremiah 3:22), and they shall find rest fortheir souls (cf. Jeremiah 6:16a).The bountiful mercies of God and Hisforgiveness come by confession andrepentance of sin (1 John 1:7-9). God requiresworship and a communing with Him in spiritand truth. Consequently, there is a pardoninggrace. God invites those who had wanderedfar from Him to return as obedient children,not as bodyguards of the Adversary, but assoldiers of the Cross.Comfort for those inBeds of AfflictionAlthough there are many afflicted, God’sgoodness, compassion and comfort can beexpressed in such trials. God’s Word says,“These things I have spoken unto you, thatin me ye might have peace. In the world yeshall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; Ihave overcome the world” (John 16:33). We,Christians, are still exposed to the sorrows anddisappointments of trials and tribulations; butthrough Jesus Christ, who has overcome theBible Witness 13