Charles G. Finney
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I cannot conclude this course of lectures, without warning converts
against backsliding. In discussing this subject, I will show:
I. What backsliding in heart is not.
II. What backsliding in heart is.
III. What are evidences of backsliding in heart.
IV. What are consequences of backsliding in heart.
V. How to recover from this state.
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1. It does not consist in the subsidence of highly excited religious
emotions. The subsidence of religious feeling may be an evidence of a
backslidden heart, but it does not consist in the cooling off of
religious feeling.
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1. It consists in taking back that consecration to God and His service,
that constitutes true conversion.
2. It is the leaving, by a Christian, of his first love.
3. It consists in the Christian withdrawing himself from that state of
entire and universal devotion to God, which constitutes true religion,
and coming again under the control of a self-pleasing spirit.
4. The text implies that there may be a backslidden heart, when the
forms of religion and obedience to God are maintained. As we know from
consciousness that men perform the same, or similar, acts from widely
different, and often from opposite, motives, we are certain that men
may keep up all the outward forms and appearances of religion, when in
fact, they are backslidden in heart. No doubt the most intense
selfishness often takes on a religious type, and there are many
considerations that might lead a backslider in heart to keep up the
forms, while he had lost the power of godliness in his soul.
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1. Manifest formality in religious exercises. A stereotyped, formal way
of saying and doing things, that is clearly the result of habit, rather
than the outgushing of the religious life. This formality will be
emotionless and cold as an iceberg, and will evince a total want of
earnestness in the performance of religious duty. In prayer and in
religious exercises the backslider in heart will pray or praise, or
confess, or give thanks with his lips, so that all can hear him,
perhaps, but in such a way that no one can feel him. Such a formality
would be impossible where there existed a present, living faith and
love, and religious zeal.
2. A lack of religious enjoyment is evidence of a backslidden heart. We
always enjoy the saying and doing of those things that please those
whom we most love; furthermore, when the heart is not backslidden,
communion with God is kept up, and therefore all religious duties are
not only performed with pleasure, but the communion with God involved
in them is a source of rich and continual enjoyment. If we do not enjoy
the service of God, it is because we do not truly serve Him. If we love
Him supremely, it is impossible that we should not enjoy His service at
every step. Always remember then, whenever you lose your religious
enjoyment, or the enjoyment of serving God, you may know that you are
not serving Him aright.
3. Religious bondage is another evidence of a backslidden heart. God
has no slaves. He does not accept the service of bondsmen, who serve
Him because they must. He accepts none but a love service. A backslider
in heart finds his religious duties a burden to him. He has promised to
serve the Lord. He dare not wholly break off from the form of service,
and he tries to be dutiful, while he has no heart in prayer, in praise,
in worship, or in any of those exercises which are so spontaneous and
delightful, where there is true love to God. The backslider in heart is
often like a dutiful, but unloving wife. She tries to do her duty to
her husband, but fails utterly because she does not love him. Her
painstaking to please her husband is constrained, not the spontaneous
outburst of a loving heart; and her relationship and her duties become
the burden of her life. She goes about complaining of the weight of
care that is upon her, and will not be likely to advise young ladies to
marry. She is committed for life, and must therefore perform the duties
of married life, but it is such a bondage! Just so with religious
bondage. The professor must perform his duty. He drags painfully about
it, and you will hear him naturally sing backslider's hymns:
Reason I hear, her counsels weigh,
And all her words approve
And yet I find it hard to obey,
And harder still, to love.
4. An ungoverned temper. While the heart is full of love, the temper
will naturally be chastened and sweet, or at any rate, the will keep it
under, and not suffer it to break out in outrageous abuse, or if at any
time it should so far escape from the control of the will as to break
loose in hateful words, it will soon be brought under, and by no means
suffered to take control and manifest itself to the annoyance of
others. Especially will a loving heart confess and break down, if at
any time bad temper gets the control. Whenever, therefore, there is an
irritable, uncontrolled temper allowed to manifest itself to those
around, you may know there is a backslidden heart.
5. A spirit of uncharitableness is evidence of a backslidden heart. By
this, I mean a lack of that disposition that puts the best construction
upon every one's conduct that can be reasonable a lack of confidence in
the good intentions and professions of others. We naturally credit the
good professions of those whom we love. We naturally attribute to them
right motives, and put the best allowable construction upon their words
and deeds. Where there is a lack of this there is evidence conclusive
of a backslidden or unloving heart.
6. A censorious spirit is conclusive evidence of a backslidden heart.
This is a spirit of fault-finding, of impugning the motives of others,
when their conduct admits of a charitable construction. It is a
disposition to fasten blame upon others, and judge them harshly. It is
a spirit of distrust of Christian character and profession. It is a
state of mind that reveals itself in harsh judgments, harsh sayings,
and the manifestation of uncomfortable feelings toward individuals.
This state of mind is entirely incompatible with a loving heart, and
whenever a censorious spirit is manifested by a professor of religion,
you may know there is a backslidden heart.
7. A lack of interest in God's Word, is also an evidence of a
backslidden heart. Perhaps nothing more conclusively proves that a
professor has a backslidden heart, than his losing his interest in the
Bible. While the heart is full of love, no book in the world is so
precious as the Bible. But when the love is gone, the Bible becomes not
only uninteresting but often repulsive. There is no faith to accept its
promises, but conviction enough left to dread its threatening. But in
general the backslider in heart is apathetic as to the Bible. He does
not read it much, and when he does read it, he has not interest enough
to understand it. Its pages become dark and uninteresting, and
therefore it is neglected.
8. A lack of interest in secret prayer is also an evidence of a
backslidden heart. Young Christian, if you find yourself losing your
interest in the Bible and in secret prayer, stop short, return to God,
and give yourself no rest, till you enjoy the light of His countenance.
If you feel disinclined to pray, or to read your Bible; if when you
pray and read your Bible, you have no heart; if you are inclined to
make your secret devotions short, or are easily induced to neglect
them; or if your thoughts, affections, and emotions wander, you may
know that you are a backslider in heart, and your first business is to
be broken down before God, and to see that your love and zeal are
renewed.
9. A lack of interest in the conversion of souls and in efforts to
promote revivals of religion. This of course reveals a backslidden
heart. There is nothing in which a loving heart takes more interest
than in the conversion of souls in revivals of religion, and in efforts
to promote them.
10. A lack of interest in published accounts or narratives of revivals
of religion, is also an evidence of a backslidden heart. While one
retains his interest in the conversion of souls, and in revivals of
religion he will, of course, be interested in all accounts of revivals
of religion anywhere. If you find yourself, therefore, disinclined to
read such accounts, or find yourself not interested in them, take it
for granted that you are backslidden in heart.
11. The same is true of missions, and missionary work and operations.
If you lose your interest in the work, and in the conversion of the
heathen, and do not delight to read and hear of the success of
missions, you may know that you are backslidden in heart.
12. The loss of interest in benevolent enterprises generally is an
evidence of a backslidden heart. I say, "the loss of interest," for
surely, if you were ever converted to Christ, you have had an interest
in all benevolent enterprises that came within your knowledge. Religion
consists in disinterested benevolence. Of course, a converted soul
takes the deepest interest in all benevolent efforts to reform and save
mankind; in good government, in Christian education, in the cause of
temperance, in the abolition of slavery, in provision for the needs of
the poor, and in short, in every good word and work. Just in proportion
as you have lost your interest in these, you have evidence that you are
backslidden in heart.
13. The loss of interest in truly spiritual conversation is another
evidence of a backslidden heart. "Out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaketh" (Matthew 12:34). This our Lord Jesus Christ announced
as a law of our nature. No conversation is so sweet to a truly loving
heart, as that which relates to Christ, and to our living Christian
experience. If you find yourself losing interest in conversing on heart
religion, and of the various and wonderful experiences of Christians,
if you have known what the true love of God is, you have fallen from
it, and are a backslider in heart.
14. A loss of interest in the conversation and society of highly
spiritual people, is an evidence of a backslidden heart. We take the
greatest delight in the society of those who are most interested in the
things that are most dear to us.
Hence, a loving Christian heart will always seek the society of those
who are most spiritually minded, and whose conversation is most
evangelical and spiritual. If you find yourself wanting in this
respect, then know for certain that you are backslidden in heart.
15. The loss of interest in the question of sanctification is an
evidence of a backslidden heart. I say again, the loss of interest,
for, if you ever truly knew the love of God, you must have had a great
interest in the question of entire consecration to God, or of entire
sanctification. If you are a Christian, you have felt that sin was an
abomination to your soul. You have had inexpressible longings to be rid
of it forever, and everything that could throw light upon that question
of agonizing importance was most intensely interesting to you. If this
question has been dismissed, and you no longer take an interest in it,
it is because you are backslidden in heart.
16. The loss of interest in those newly converted, is also an evidence
of a backslidden heart. The Psalmist says: "They that fear Thee will be
glad when they see me; because I have hoped in Thy word" (Psalm
119:74). This he puts into the mouth of a convert, and who does not
know that this is true? There is joy in the presence of the angels of
God, over one sinner that repenteth, and is there not joy among the
saints on earth, over those that come to Christ, and are as babes newly
born into the Kingdom? Show me a professor of religion who does not
manifest an absorbing interest in converts to Christ, and I will show
you a backslider in heart, and a hypocrite; he professes religion, but
has none.
17. An uncharitable state of mind in regard to professed converts, is
also an evidence of a backslidden heart. Charity, or love, "believeth
all things, hopeth all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7), is very ready to
judge kindly and favorably of those who profess to be converted to
Christ, and will naturally watch over them with interest, pray for
them, instruct them, and have as much confidence in them as it is
reasonable to have. A disposition, therefore, to pick at, criticize,
and censure them, is an evidence of a backslidden heart.
18. The lack of the spirit of prayer is evidence of a backslidden
heart. While the love of Christ remains fresh in the soul, the
indwelling Spirit of God will reveal Himself as the Spirit of grace and
supplication. He will beget strong desires in the soul for the
salvation of sinners and the sanctification of saints. He will often
make intercessions in them, with great longings, strong crying and
tears, and with groanings that cannot he uttered in words, for those
things that are according to the will of God. Or, to express it in
Scripture language, according to Paul: "Likewise the Spirit also
helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we
ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what
is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the
saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:26, 27). If the spirit
of prayer departs, it is a sure indication of a backslidden heart, for
while the first love of a Christian continues he is sure to be drawn by
the Holy Spirit to wrestle much in prayer.
19. A backslidden heart often reveals itself by the manner in which
people pray. For example, praying as if in a state of
self-condemnation, or very much like a convicted sinner, is an evidence
of a backslidden heart. Such a person will reveal the fact, that he is
not at peace with God. His confessions and self-accusations will show
to others what perhaps he does not well understand himself. His manner
of praying will reveal the fact that he has not communion with God;
that instead of being filled with faith and love, he is more or less
convicted of sin, and conscious that he is not in a state of acceptance
with God. He will naturally pray more like a convicted sinner than like
a Christian. It will be seen by his prayer that he is not in a state of
Christian liberty that he is having a Seventh of Romans experience,
instead of that which is described in the Eighth.
20. A backslidden heart will further reveal itself in praying almost
exclusively for self, and for those friends that are regarded almost as
parts of self. It is often very striking and even shocking to attend a
backsliders' prayer meeting, and I am very sorry to say that many
prayer meetings of the Church are little else. Their prayers are timid
and hesitating, and reveal the fact that they have little or no faith.
Instead of surrounding the Throne of Grace and pouring their hearts out
for a blessing on those around them, they have to be urged up to duty,
to "take up their cross." Their hearts do not, will not, spontaneously
gush out to God in prayer. They have very little concern for others,
and when they do, as they say, "take up their cross and do their duty,"
and pretend to lead in prayer, it will be observed that they pray just
like a company of convicted sinners, almost altogether for themselves.
They will pray for that which, should they obtain it, would be
religion, just as a convicted sinner would pray for a new heart; and
the fact that they pray for religion as they do, manifests that they
have none, in their present state of mind. Ask them to pray for the
conversion of sinners, and they will either wholly forget to do so, or
just mention sinners in such a way as will show that they have no heart
to pray for them.
I have known professed Christian parents to get into such a state that
they had no heart to pray for the conversion of their own children,
even when those children were under conviction. They would keep up
family prayer, and attend a weekly prayer meeting, but would never get
out of the rut of praying round and round for themselves. A few years
since I was laboring in a revival in a Presbyterian Church. At the
close of the evening sermon I found that the daughter of one of the
elders of the Church was in great distress of mind. I observed that her
convictions were very deep. We had been holding a meeting with
inquirers in the vestry, and I had just dismissed the inquirers, when
this young lady came to me in great agitation and begged me to pray for
her. The people had mostly gone, except a few who were waiting in the
body of the church for those friends who had attended the meeting of
inquiry. I called the father of this young lady into the vestry that he
might see the very anxious state of his daughter's mind. After a short
personal conversation with her in the presence of her father, I called
on him to pray for her, and said that I would follow him, and I urged
her to give her heart to Christ. We all knelt, and he went through with
his prayer, kneeling by the side of his sobbing daughter, without ever
mentioning her case. His prayer revealed that he had no more religion
than she had, and that he was very much in her state of mind under an
awful sense of condemnation. He had kept up the appearance of religion.
As an elder of the Church, he was obliged to keep up appearances. He
had gone round and round upon the treadmill of his duties, while his
heart was utterly backslidden. It is often almost nauseating to attend
a prayer meeting of the backslidden in heart. They will go round,
round, one after the other, in reality praying for their own
conversion. They do not so express it, but that is the real import of
their prayer. They could not render it more evident that they are
backsliders in heart.
21. Absence from stated prayer meetings for slight reasons, is a sure
indication of a backslidden heart. No meeting is more interesting to
Christians than the prayer meeting, and while they have any heart to
pray, they will not be absent from prayer meeting unless prevented from
attending by the providence of God. If a call from a friend at the hour
of meeting can prevent their attendance, unless the call is made under
very peculiar circumstances, it is strong evidence that they do not
wish to attend, and hence, that they are backsliders in heart. A call
at such a time would not prevent their attending a wedding, a party, a
picnic, or an amusing lecture. The fact is, it is hypocrisy for them to
pretend that they really want to go, while they can be kept away for
slight reasons.
22. The same is true of the neglect of family prayer, for slight
reasons. While the heart is engaged in religion, Christians will not
readily omit family devotions, and whenever they are ready to find an
excuse for the omission, it is a sure evidence that they are
backslidden in heart.
23. When secret prayer is regarded more as a duty than as a privilege,
it is because the heart is backslidden. It has always appeared to me
almost ridiculous, to hear Christians speak of prayer as a "duty." It
is one of the greatest of earthly privileges. What should we think of a
child coming to its parent for its dinner, not because it is hungry,
but as a duty. How would it strike us to hear a beggar speak of the
"duty" of asking alms of us. It is an infinite privilege to be allowed
to come to God, and ask for the supply of all our wants. But to pray
because we must, rather than because we may, seems unnatural. To ask
for what we want, and because we want it, and because God has
encouraged us to ask, and has promised to answer our request, is
natural and reasonable. But to pray as a duty and as if we were
obliging God by our prayer, is quite ridiculous, and is a certain
indication of a backslidden heart.
24. Pleading for worldly amusements is also an indication of a
backslidden heart. The most grateful amusements possible, to a truly
spiritual mind, are those engagements that bring the soul into the most
direct communion with God. While the heart is full of love and faith,
an hour, or an evening, spent alone in communion with God, is more
delightful than all the amusements which the world can offer. A loving
heart is jealous of everything that will break up or interfere with its
communion with God. For mere worldly amusements it has no relish. When
the soul does not find more delight in God than in all worldly things,
the heart is sadly backslidden.
25. Spiritual blindness is another evidence of a backslidden heart.
While the eye is single the whole body will be full of spiritual light,
but if the eye be evil (which means a backslidden heart) the whole body
will be full of darkness.
Spiritual blindness reveals itself in a lack of interest in God's Word,
and in religious truth generally. It will also manifest a lack of
spiritual discrimination, and will be easily imposed upon by the
insinuations of Satan. A backslidden heart will lead to the adoption of
lax principles of morality. It does not discern the spirituality of
God's law, and of His requirements generally. When this spiritual
blindness is manifest it is a sure indication that the heart is
backslidden.
26. Religious apathy, with worldly wakefulness and sensibility, is a
sure indication of a backslidden heart. We sometimes see persons who
feel deeply and quickly on worldly subjects, but who cannot be made to
feel deeply on religious subjects. This clearly indicates a backslidden
state of mind.
27. A self-indulgent spirit is a sure indication of a backslidden
heart. By self-indulgence, I mean a disposition to gratify the
appetites, passions, and propensities, to "fulfill the desires of the
flesh and of the mind" (Ephesians 2:3).
This, in the Bible, is represented as a state of spiritual death. I am
satisfied that the most common occasion of backsliding in heart is to
be found in the clamor for indulgence of the various appetites and
propensities. The appetite for food is frequently, and perhaps more
frequently than any other, the occasion of backsliding. Few Christians,
I fear, apprehend any danger in this direction. God's injunction is:
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). Christians forget this, and eat
and drink to please themselves, consulting their appetites instead of
the laws of life and health. More persons are ensnared by their tables
than the Church is aware of. The table is a snare of death to
multitudes that no man can number. A great many people who avoid
alcoholic drinks altogether, will indulge in tea and coffee, and even
tobacco, and in food that, both in quantity and quality, violates every
law of health. They seem to have no other law than that of appetite,
and this they so deprave by abuse that, to indulge it, is to ruin body
and soul together. Show me a gluttonous professor, and I will show you
a backslider.
28. A seared conscience is also an evidence of a backslidden heart.
While the soul is wakeful and loving, the conscience is as tender as
the apple of the eye. But when the heart is backslidden, the conscience
is silent and seared, on many subjects. Such a person will tell you
that he is not violating his conscience, in eating or drinking, or in
self-indulgence of any kind. You will find a backslider has but little
conscience. The same will very generally be true in regard to sins of
omission. Multitudes of duties may be neglected and a seared conscience
will remain silent. Where conscience is not awake, the heart is surely
backslidden.
29. Loose moral principles are a sure indication of a backslidden
heart. A backslider in heart will write letters on the Sabbath, engage
in secular reading, and in much worldly conversation. In business, such
a person will take little advantages, play off business tricks, and
conform to the habits of worldly business men in the transaction of
business; he will be guilty of deception and misrepresentation in
making bargains, will demand exorbitant interest, and take advantage of
the necessities of his fellow-men.
30. Prevalence of the fear of man is an evidence of a backslidden
heart. While the heart is full of the love of God, God is feared, and
not man. A desire for the applause of men is kept down, and it is
enough to please God, whether men are pleased or displeased. But when
the love of God is abated, "the fear of man," that "bringeth a snare"
(Proverbs 29:25), gets possession of the backslider. To please man
rather than God, is then his aim. In such a state he will sooner offend
God than man.
31. A sticklishness about forms, ceremonies, and nonessentials, gives
evidence of a backslidden heart. A loving heart is particular only
about the substance and power of religion, and will not stickle about
its forms.
32. A captiousness about measures in promoting revivals of religion, is
a sure evidence of a backslidden heart. Where the heart is fully set
upon the conversion of sinners and the sanctification of believers, it
will naturally approach the subject in the most direct manner, and by
means in the highest degree calculated to accomplish the end. It will
not object to, nor stumble at, measures that are evidently blessed of
God, but will exert the utmost sagacity in devising the most suitable
means to accomplish the great end on which the heart is set.
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The text says, that "the backslider in heart shall be filled with his
own ways."
1. He shall be filled with his own works. But these are dead works,
they are not works of faith and love, which are acceptable to God, but
are the filthy rags of his own righteousness. If they are performed as
religious services, they are but loathsome hypocrisy, and an
abomination to God; there is no heart in them. To such a person God
says: "Who hath required this at your hand?" (Isaiah 1:12). "Ye are
they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts:
for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight
of God" (Luke 16:15). "I know you, that ye have not the love of God in
you" (John 5:42).
2. He shall be filled with his own feelings. Instead of that sweet
peace and rest, and joy in the Holy Ghost, that he once experienced, he
will find himself in a state of unrest, dissatisfied with himself and
everybody else, his feelings often painful, humiliating, and as
unpleasant and unlovely as can be well conceived. It is often very
trying to live with backsliders. They are often peevish, censorious,
and irritating, in all their ways. They have forsaken God, and in their
feelings there is more of hell than of heaven.
3. They will be filled with their own prejudices. Their willingness to
know and do the truth has gone. They will very naturally commit
themselves against any truth that bears hardly upon a self-indulgent
spirit. They will endeavor to justify themselves, will neither read nor
hear that which will rebuke their backslidden state, and they will
become deeply prejudiced against every one that shall cross their path,
who shall reprove them, accounting him as an enemy. They hedge
themselves in, and shut their eyes against the light; stand on the
defensive, and criticize everything that would search them out.
4. A backslider in heart will be filled with his own enmities. He will
chafe in almost every relation of life, will allow himself to be vexed,
and to get into such relations with some persons, and perhaps with
many, that he cannot pray for them honestly, and can hardly treat them
with common civility. This is an almost certain result of a backslidden
heart.
5. The backslider in heart will be full of his own mistakes. He is not
walking with God. He has fallen out of the Divine order. He is not led
by the Spirit, but is walking in spiritual darkness. In this state he
is sure to fall into many and grievous mistakes, and may get entangled
in such a way as to mar his happiness, and, perhaps, destroy his
usefulness for life. Mistakes in business, mistakes in forming new
relations in life, mistakes in using his time, his tongue, his money,
his influence; indeed, all will go wrong with him as long as he remains
in a backslidden state.
6. The backslider in heart will be filled with his own lustings. His
appetites and passions, which had been kept under, have now resumed
their control, and having been so long suppressed, they will seem to
avenge themselves by becoming more clamorous and despotic than ever.
The animal appetites and passions will burst forth, to the astonishment
of the backslider, and he will probably find himself more under their
influence and more enslaved by them than ever before.
7. The backslider in heart will be filled with his own words. While in
that state, he will not, and cannot, control his tongue. It will prove
itself to be an unruly member, full of deadly poison. By his words he
will involve himself in many difficulties and perplexities, from which
he can never extricate himself until he comes back to God.
8. He will be full of his own trials. Instead of keeping out of
temptation, he will run right into it. He will bring upon himself
multitudes of trials that he never would have had, had he not departed
from God. He will complain of his trials, but yet will constantly
multiply them. A backslider feels his trials keenly, but, while he
complains of being so tried by everything around him, he is constantly
aggravating them, and, being the author of them, he seems industrious
to bring them upon himself like an avalanche.
9. The backslider in heart shall be full of his own folly. Having
rejected the Divine guidance, he will evidently fall into the depths of
his own foolishness. He will inevitably say and do multitudes of
foolish and ridiculous things. Being a professor of religion, these
things will be all the more noticed, and of course bring him all the
more into ridicule and contempt. A backslider is, indeed, the most
foolish person in the world. Having experimental knowledge of the true
way of life, he has the infinite folly to abandon it. Knowing the
fountain of living waters, he has forsaken it, and "hewed out to
himself cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" (Jeremiah
2:13). Having been guilty of this infinite folly, the whole course of
his backslidden life must be that of a fool, in the Bible sense of the
term.
10. The backslider in heart will be full of his own troubles. God is
against him, and he is against himself. He is not at peace with God,
with himself, with the Church, nor with the world. He has no inward
rest. Conscience condemns him.
God condemns him. All that know his state condemn him. "There is no
peace, saith my God, to the wicked" (Isaiah 57:21). There is no
position in time or space in which he can be at rest.
11. The backslider in heart will be full of his own cares. He has
turned back to selfishness. He counts himself and his possessions as
his own. He has everything to care for. He will not hold himself and
his possessions as belonging to God, and lay aside the responsibility
of taking care of himself and all that he possesses. He does not, will
not, cast his cares upon the Lord, but undertakes to manage everything
for himself, and in his own wisdom, and for his own ends. Consequently,
his cares will be multiplied, and come upon him like a deluge.
12. The backslider in heart will be full of his own perplexities.
Having forsaken God, having fallen into the darkness of his own folly,
he will be filled with perplexities and doubts in regard to what course
he shall pursue to accomplish his selfish ends. He is not walking with,
but contrary to God. Hence, the providence of God will constantly cross
his path, and baffle all his schemes. God will frown darkness upon his
path, and take pains to confound his projects, and blow his schemes to
the winds.
13. The backslider in heart will be filled with his own anxieties. He
will be anxious about himself, about his business, about his
reputation, about everything. He has taken all these things out of the
hands of God, and claims them and treats them as his own. Hence, having
faith in God no longer, and being unable to control events, he must of
necessity be filled with anxieties with regard to the future. These
anxieties are the inevitable result of his madness and folly in
forsaking God.
14. The backslider in heart will be filled with his own
disappointments. Having forsaken God, and taken the attitude of
self-will, God will inevitably disappoint him as he pursues his selfish
ends. He will frame his ways to please himself, without consulting God.
Of course God will frame his ways so as to disappoint him. Determined
to have his own way, he will be greatly disappointed if his plans are
frustrated; yet the certain course of events under the government of
God must of necessity bring him a series of disappointments.
15. The backslider in heart must be full of his own losses. He regards
his possessions as his own, his time as his own, his influence as his
own, his reputation as his own. The loss of any of these, he accounts
as his own loss. Having forsaken God, and being unable to control the
events upon which the continuance of those things is conditioned, he
will find himself suffering losses on every side. He loses his peace.
He loses his property.
He loses much of his time. He loses his Christian reputation. He loses
his Christian influence, and if he persists he loses his soul.
16. The backslider in heart will be full of his own crosses. All
religious duty will be irksome, and, therefore, a cross to him. His
state of mind will make multitudes of things crosses that in a
Christian state of mind would have been pleasant in a high degree.
Having lost all heart in religion, the performance of all religious
duty is a cross to his feelings. There is no help for him, unless he
returns to God. The whole course of Divine providence will run across
his path, and his whole life will be a series of crosses and trials. He
cannot have his own way. He cannot gratify himself by accomplishing his
own wishes and desires. He may beat and dash himself against the
everlasting rocks of God's will and God's way, but break through and
carry all before him he cannot. He must be crossed and recrossed, and
crossed again, until he will fall into the Divine order, and sink into
the will of God.
17. The backslider in heart will be filled with his own tempers. Having
forsaken God, he will be sure to have much to irritate him. In a
backslidden state, he cannot possess his soul in patience. The
vexations of his backslidden life will make him nervous and irritable;
his temper will become explosive and uncontrollable.
18. The backslider in heart will be full of his own disgraces. He is a
professor of religion. The eyes of the world are upon him, and all his
inconsistencies, worldly-mindedness, follies, bad tempers, and hateful
words and deeds, disgrace him in the estimation of all men who know
him.
19. The backslider in heart will be full of his own delusions. Having
an evil eye, his whole body will be full of darkness. He will almost
certainly fall into delusions in regard to doctrines and in regard to
practices. Wandering on in darkness, as he does, he will, very likely,
swallow the grossest delusions. Spiritism, Mormonism, Universalism, and
every other ism that is wide from the truth, will be very likely to
gain possession of him. Who has not observed this of backsliders in
heart?
20. The backslider in heart will be filled with his own bondage. His
profession of religion brings him into bondage to the Church. He has no
heart to consult the interests of the Church, or to labor for its
up-building, and yet he is under covenant obligation to do so, and his
reputation is at stake. He must do something to sustain religious
institutions, but to do so is a bondage. If he does it, it is because
he must, and not because he may. Again, he is in bondage to God. If he
performs any duty that he calls religious, it is rather as a slave than
as a freeman. He serves from fear or hope, just like a slave, and not
from love. A gain, he is in bondage to his own conscience. To avoid
conviction and remorse, he will do or omit many things, but it is all
with reluctance, and not at all of his own cordial goodwill.
21. The backslider in heart is full of his own self condemnation.
Having enjoyed the love of God, and forsaken Him, he feels condemned
for everything. If he attempts religious duty, he knows there is no
heart in it, and hence condemns himself. If he neglects religious duty,
he of course condemns himself. If he reads his Bible, it condemns him.
If he does not read it, he feels condemned. If he goes to religious
meetings, they condemn him; and if he stays away, he is condemned also.
If he prays in secret, in his family, or in public, he knows he is not
sincere, and feels condemned. If he neglects or refuses to pray, he
feels condemned. Everything condemns him. His conscience is up in arms
against him, and the thunders and lightnings of condemnation follow
him, whithersoever he goes.
__________________________________________________________________
1. Remember whence you are fallen. Take up the question at once, and
deliberately contrast your present state with that in which you walked
with God.
2. Take home the conviction of your true position. No longer delay to
understand the exact situation between God and your soul.
3. Repent at once, and do your first works over again.
4. Do not attempt to get back, by reforming your mere outside conduct.
Begin with your heart, and at once set yourself right with God.
5. Do not act like a more convicted sinner, and attempt to recommend
yourself to God by any impenitent works or prayers.
Do not think that you must "reform, and make yourself better" before
you can come to Christ, but understand distinctly, that coming to
Christ, alone, can make you better. However much distressed you may
feel, know for a certainty that until you repent and accept His will,
unconditionally, you are no better, but are constantly growing worse.
Until you throw yourself upon His sovereign mercy, and thus return to
God, He will accept nothing at your hands.
6. Do not imagine yourself to be in a justified state, for you know you
are not. Your conscience condemns you, and you know that God ought to
condemn you, and if He justified you in your present state, your
conscience could not justify Him. Come, then, to Christ at once, like a
guilty, condemned sinner, as you are; own up, and take all the shame
and blame to yourself, and believe that notwithstanding all your
wanderings from God, He loves you still--that He has loved you with an
everlasting love, and, therefore, with lovingkindness is drawing you.
(end)
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We confess the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19; Mk. 12:29). We take a strong stand on the Deity, eternal self-existence and virgin birth of the Lord Jesus (Jn. 20:28; Heb. 1:8-9; 1 Jn. 5:20). We believe in the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible in the original languages, the need for all people to be born again spiritually to enter the kingdom of God, justification by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:3-8; Rom. 3:22-24; Eph. 1:7) and also the doctrine of sanctification by being filled with the Holy Spirit to become bold witnesses and disciples of the Lord Jesus (Acts. 15:8-9; 1 Thes. 4:3,7-8; Heb. 12:14; 1 Pet. 1:15-16). We firmly believe that the whole counsel of God has been revealed to us in His Word. We believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Acts. 1:10-11; 1 Cor. 15:22-23, 51-52; 1 Thes. 4:15-18; Rev. 1:7).
Wie is die Vrye Baptiste?
1. Ons is Protestante.
2. Ons is Wesleyaans - Arminiaans.
3. Ons is Baptiste.
4. Ons is Fundamentaliste.
5. Ons is Evangelies.
6. Ons Naam:
“Vrye” Baptiste het te doen met die feit dat ons vry is van die Baptiste Unie is en dat ons dus ons eie Moderatuur het. Ons behoort ook nie aan die Wêreld Raad van Kerke nie.
Ons het ook nie afgestig van die Baptiste nie, maar het die Naam aanvaar omdat ons bekend gestaan het as die Zion Curch en dit later verwar is met die onbybelse Sioniste beweging.
{LEES MEER}
Wat behoort ‘n mens in die Kerk te vind?
1. Ondersoek die Fondament:
1.1 ‘n Behoorlike siening van die Woord
1.2 ‘n Beklemtoning van Bybelse lering en prediking
1.3 Leerstellige Gesondheid
1.4 Leerstellige Beoefening
2. Ondersoek die struktuur van die Kerk:
2.1 Kerklike bestuur
2.2 Bewyse van orde
2.3 Haalbare doelwitte
2.4 Die Grootte van die Kerk
3. Kyk hoe dit funksioneer:
4. Kyk na die atmosfeer:
4.1 ‘n Hoë beskouing van God
4.2 Die teenwoordigheid van opregte geloof
4.3 ‘n Gees van opoffering
4.4 Is daar ‘n regte gesindheid teenoor die predikant en die leiers?
4.5 Geestelike eenheid
Christian Fundamentalism
Johan Malan
There are so many variations of Christianity with regard to its practices and creeds that the question is often asked: which is the correct one? Christians who strongly adhere to basic Scriptural pronouncements, principles and values are referred to as fundamental, conservative or evangelical believers. The characteristics of this disposition will be reviewed in terms of its relevancy to a sound faith.
Christian fundamentalism is associated with the following 32 basic principles: {READ MORE}
Kenmerke van ‘n Gemeente
Johan Malan
Die basiese roeping, eienskappe en kenmerke van 'n ware gemeente van Christus.
Ons leef in ‘n tyd van ongekende misleiding, veral op godsdienstige gebied. Die duiwel span al sy misleidingskrag in om Jesus Christus se dissipels van die suiwer Bybelse leer afvallig te maak, hulle ywer te laat verflou, hulle met nietige dinge besig te hou wat geen ewigheidswaarde het nie, en hulle ook in morele sondes te laat verval. Sodoende verswak en ondermyn hy die kerk van Christus waarteen hy veg en behaal in die proses groot oorwinnings.
{LEES MEER}
Gebeds Reeks |
Frikkie Osborne | |
1. Waar staan ek met God? [1:07:01] |
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Heiligmaking & |
25 tot 27 Mei 2012 Prof. Johan Malan |
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Die skrif is aan die muur [47:33] |
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Mannekamp Boodskappe |
Oktober 2012 |
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Josua: 'n Studie in Bybelse Tipologie Deel 1 [52:36] |
Josua: 'n Studie in |
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Mannekamp Boodskappe |
Oktober 2011 Prof. Johan Malan |
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1. Die Verwoestende Gevolge van Slawerny [1:06:10] |
Geestelike Bevryding, Dissipelskap en Voorbereidings vir die Toekoms |
Kort Boodskap (mp3)
Ds. Marius Wolfaardt
Skilpaaie wat
gebed verhinder (7:15)
EM Bounds:
Begin the Day with Prayer
THE men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, he will be in the last place the remainder of the day. {READ MORE}
Much Time Should Be Given to Prayer
Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying. Prayer which is felt as a mighty force is the mediate or immediate product of much time spent with God. Our short prayers owe their point and efficiency to the long ones that have preceded them. {READ MORE}
Preachers Need the Prayers of the People
It is absolutely necessary for the preacher to pray. It is an absolute necessity that the preacher be prayed for. It will take all the praying he can do, and all the praying he can get done, to meet the fearful responsibilities and gain the largest, truest success in his great work. {READ MORE}
Die Rol van Gebed
Johan Malan
Opsomming: Enkele kenmerke van gebed, asook verskillende vorms van gebed. {LEES MEER}
The Importance of Prayer
Johan Malan
Prayer is one of the most important Christian activities. Through prayer one maintains an intimate walk with the Lord and lays the foundation for success in other spiritual activities. It also ensures victory in the struggle against Satan as you commit yourself in faith to the protection and care of the Great Victor, Jesus Christ. Dr. Andrew Murray said: “I am convinced that we will never fully appreciate what the great significance of prayer is as long as we only regard it as a way to sustain our own spiritual life. But if we learn to view it as the most important work entrusted to us, the basis and strength of all our work, then we will realise that there is nothing we should study and practice as the art of praying correctly.”
The request of the disciples was: “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). We can only learn the art of true prayer and intercession from the Great Intercessor, Jesus Christ. It is a school in which we must grow in grace and knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18). Although prayer, in its initial form, is so simple that even the smallest child can pray, it is at the same time the highest form of dedication to which believers are called. {READ MORE}
Die Sonde van Biddeloosheid (mp3)
Luister na die preek (33:38)
Ds. Hannes Delport
The Power of Prayer
RA Torrey
Ye have not, because ye ask not (James 4:2). "Why is it," many a Christian is asking, "that I make such poor progress in my Christian life? Why do I have so little victory over sin? Why do I win so few souls to Christ? Why do I grow so slowly into the likeness of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?" And God answers in the words of the text: "Neglect of prayer. You have not, because you ask not." {READ MORE}
How To Study the Bible
George Muller
The Manner of Reading the Bible / Stick to the Word of God / Read Consecutively / Connecting the Scriptures / Read the Word Prayerfully / Also Meditate On the Word / Read With Faith / Be Doers of the Word...
The Word of God
Prof. Johan Malan
In this article, 14 characteristics of the Word of God are described. These statements are most significant in view of the fact that that a large body of modern theologians have, through their prejudice and destructive criticism, relegated the Bible to the level of highly contentious and disputed writings of human origin.
The Backslider in Heart
Charles G. Finney
I. What backsliding in heart is not.
II. What backsliding in heart is.
III. What are evidences of backsliding in heart.
IV. What are consequences of backsliding in heart.
V. How to recover from this state.
Spiritual Backsliding
Prof. Johan Malan
It is important that one understands the phenomenon of apostatising, or backsliding, as every believer should be able to identify and counter this backward course in his or her spiritual life whenever it occurs. If you wish to determine the objective truth about spiritual backsliding you should consult the Bible and not biased or erroneous church dogma. Some churches, mostly in the Wesleyan tradition, agree to the possibility of backsliding while others, mostly Calvinistic and Lutheran churches, reject the possibility of apostatising and falling from grace. What does the Bible teach?
Marginale, Teruggevalle en Valse Christene
Prof. Johan Malan
Die toestand van ‘n mens se hart beskryf die aard van jou geestelike lewe en morele beginsels. Die hart is die sentrum van jou gees en siel, en dus bepalend vir jou wil, emosies en denkwyse. Jou hart is óf ‘n woonplek vir God óf ‘n woonplek vir Satan.
Blanket Project
The women of the Free State FBC started a blanket project in 2014 to crochet a double bed blanket for every minister and his wife. The first blankets were delivered with our last tour in January. The ladies that are part of this project asked for a photo of the families their blankets went to so that they can also pray for them.
A wheelchair for Eliza
Above is Eliza Divala and her husband, she received a wheelchair in March 2014. She has never been able to walk in her life and this is her first wheelchair ever.
PLANNING:
Next Tour – June 2016
The Biggest Needs of the Mission:
Material for 3 church buildings
Cement - most of the churches need to be completed
Repair work on the pastors’ houses
Chichewa & Portuguese Bibles (R80 per Bible)
Hymnals for all the churches (R26 each)
The Necessity of Rebirth
Prof. Johan Malan
Scripture reading: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again… Nicodemus answered and said to Him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said to him, Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” (John 3:1-10).
Slaves of Sin
Prof. Johan Malan
But there is another, more abstract form of slavery by an invisible enemy, to which most people are subjected for their entire life, and that is spiritual and moral slavery. This is a problem which faces all people as all of us are slaves of sin because of the fallen nature which we have inherited from Adam. Sin is the consequence of alienation from God, and that accounts for the spiritual and moral depravity of mankind. The Fall has rendered humanity despicable in the eyes of God (Gen. 6:5-6). Paul says: “... through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Rom. 5:12).
Het jy in jou geestelike lewe op die plek gekom waar jy met sekerheid weet dat indien jy vandag te sterwe kom, jy hemel toe sal gaan? Veronderstel jy sou vandag te sterwe kom en voor God te staan kom en Hy sou jou vra, “Waarom moet Ek jou in my Hemel toelaat?” Wat sal jou antwoord wees?
As jy nie een van die vrae kan antwoord nie, wat dan??
{LEES MEER}
Preke (mp3)
Prof. Johan malan
How Can We be Ready for the Second Coming of Christ?
Johan Malan
There are various prophecies in the Bible by which Christians are encouraged to be vigilant and ready for the sudden coming of the heavenly Bridegroom. These instructions and admonitions should be taken seriously, as there are so many things that can divert the attention of a believer from his calling as a servant of Christ, who should be able to boldly give an account of his life when his Master returns at an unexpected hour. On that day He will catch away His bride to her heavenly abode, and then it will be too late to prepare for His coming and to rearrange your priorities in life. The following is one of the many calls to be found alert, dedicated and faithful on the day of the second coming:
“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:33-37). {READ MORE}
Tekens van die Tye
Johan Malan
Hoewel daar beslis ‘n verrassingselement in die wegraping is, is daar aan ons verskeie tekens van die eindtyd gegee sodat ons ten minste sal weet wanneer dit naby is: “En as hierdie dinge begin gebeur, kyk dan na bo en hef julle hoofde op, omdat julle verlossing naby is” (Luk. 21:28).
{LEES MEER}
The Rapture Explained
By Golda Chimere-Dan
The rapture is the event in which the Lord Jesus Christ will appear in the cloud at the voice of the archangel and the last trumpet sound to take all Bible believing, born again Christians away from the surface of this earth before the Almighty God unleashes his anger on a sinful, unrepentant and Christ-rejecting world.
The rapture is an event that will take place very soon and very suddenly. It will be the most astonishing event in the history of the world which will turn the entire planet on its head. The Bible teaches this very clearly and it is the hope of every believer in the Lordship of Jesus Christ to be among those who experience the rapture. {READ MORE}
Die Wegraping
Johan Malan
Die belofte oor die wegraping is van die allergrootste belang. Hierdie gebeurtenis sal die kerkbedeling afsluit wanneer die ware Christene na die hemel weggevoer word om voor die regterstoel van Christus te verskyn. Verwag jy dit en is jy hierop voorbereid?
{LEES MEER}
God het so vir u omgegee dat Hy die hoogste prys vir u betaal het, deur Sy Seun te laat sterf aan die kruis. Daardie liefde brand ook in ons harte, wanneer ons u nooi om deel van hierdie familie te word. Jesus sê: Kom na My toe, almal wat vermoeid en belas is en Ek sal vir julle rus gee. (Matt. 11:28)
Christen Leiers
Karaktertrekke van ‘n Christen Leier
Titus 1:4-6a
Drie areas om onberispelik in te wees:
Familie Lewe (2:6)
Persoonlike Karakter (2:7,8)
Bekwaamheid om die Woord te kan gebruik. (2:9-16)
Die Rol van die Ouderling
1 Tim 3:1-7 en Titus 1
Wat is die rol van die ouderling?
Wat is die Kwalifikasies van ‘n ouderling?
Die Vrou in die Gemeente
Die rol van die vrou in die gemeente is in beginsel ooreenstemmend met haar sosiale posisie in die gesin: in beide gevalle het die Here die man as hoof oor haar aangestel. Hierdie reëling bevat geen element van diskriminasie teen die vrou nie, maar is getref om die godgegewe natuur, emosionele ingesteldheid en pligte van beide geslagte op die beste moontlike manier tot hulle reg en onbelemmerde ontplooiing te laat kom.
Die Verband tussen die Wet en Genade
Johan Malan
Verskillende soorte wette
Die Nuwe Testamentiese wet van die liefde
Die beëindiging van die bedeling van die wet
Die grondslag van Israel se wettiese vormgodsdiens
Die genade van Christus is meer uitnemend as die wet
Books | Tracts | |||
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There's a selection of books on various subjects such as {READ MORE} Ons het 'n verskeidenheid van boeke wat handel oor |
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There's a big selection of Evangelical tracts If you need tracts for your outreaches please Daar is 'n groot verskeidenheid Evangeliese |