Followers of Christ must embrace and understand hardships and difficulties are simply a part of life. Nonetheless, we can take comfort in God, who has promised never to abandon us if we have faith and trust in Him (https://biblia.com/bible/nkjv/deuteronomy/31/6). We aim to have unwavering confidence in God, relying on Him in challenging times. In this way, we can conquer any obstacles that come our way and emerge even stronger.

2 Corinthians says, ” My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak.”

We inhabit an unstable and unpredictable world where there may be moments when we feel lost and without direction. During such times, we should pray to God and seek His guidance. He is always available and can offer us advice to make sound decisions.

The world is currently undergoing a time of judgment, and prophecy is being fulfilled each day. We cannot rely on the planet for guidance and should always turn to God. He is the source of our strength and hope and can provide everything we need to navigate these uncertain times.

It’s not uncommon to feel like society’s expectations are impossible to meet. You may have even felt like the world is against you. But remember, you are not alone. God loves and supports us, even in the toughest times. Although humans may feel undeserving of anything good, God offers us love and mercy, even when we make mistakes. As children of God, it’s crucial to keep pushing forward and never give up. Giving up only leads to a negative outcome.

Obedience, Fear, And Faith

The Book Of Deuteronomy calls for obedience against great adversity during much hardship.

We are experiencing a time unlike any we have ever seen. Yet, we must remember God’s promise to go before us, always be with us in tough times, and never be discouraged, for He will never forsake or leave us. Therefore, he advises us to have no fear (Number 23:19).

You can trust God always to be faithful, for He can not lie. But unfortunately, unlike humans, we lie most of the time and often break promises.

God’s character resonates throughout the Scriptures, such as 1 Kings 8:57, a good example of the faithfulness of our Savior, which reaffirms our faith in the Lord.

You must learn to trust God to keep every promise. For without our Lord, there is nothing to live for or desire.

In the 21st Century, we now witness the greatest falling away of the Church due to COVID. However, even before the pandemic, many Churches were experiencing a decline in numbers.

You may ask why this event is important. The event is important because it has been foretold in the scriptures long before it occurred.

Revelation tells us the Mark of the Beast is where we will find the Apostate Church changing and beginning to accept pagan worship in ceremonies and beliefs; the Church gladly agrees with new rituals, casting off the One True God.

And True followers of Christ will be judged and cast off with oppression and persecution of the false Church of this Dark Age, slated to last 125 years as prophesied in Rev. 12:6,14-16.

We are now witnessing such a time and world where anything goes. The Great Apostasy has begun to consume and control our Churches and the World we currently reside in.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 substantiates the Great Falling away of God’s Church. However, some Christians believe an enormous resurgence will come before the Rapture, but Scripture does not support this belief.

Hebrews 6:4-6 reminds us that those like Judas are closely associated with Christ and the people of God but never truly embraced Christ as Lord.

The meaning of Hebrews 6:4-6 for any lacking understanding is that there are people much like Judas who knew Jesus but never believed in His teachings, though they claimed to have followed Him. But this does not include those who once had faith but lost it. So the warning in Heb. 2:1 is for us all! The verse says, have truly received it. “Truly saved people cannot lose their salvation if they have truly received it.”

Before moving on, I would like to discuss the differences between backsliding and Apostasy.

Backsliding between God and the Church does not just happen! It is a gradual process that occurs over time. However, once the process happens, it rapidly occurs in the life of a so-called once-born-Christian individual.

On the other hand, Apostasy is more extreme than backsliding and is a total rejection of Jesus and the Church!

Backsliders can be restored to the Church as referenced throughout the Bible. Forgiveness is bestowed on all choosing to return to Jesus and the Church. Even God taught that backsliders must be restored to the fold and forgiven (Luke 15:11-32). A prime example is the Prodigal Son, who returned to his father’s home after squandering his inheritance to ask his father’s forgiveness.

Some may ask why the Church forgives backsliders. The answer is a simple one: God delights in showing his children love and mercy, which is what God offers to backsliders who return to the fold of Christ.

When a person returns to Christ, he should rededicate to the Church and Jesus. But how can a person rededicate himself to Christ?

First, he must show that he is willing to become humble. Secondly, he must confess his sins against the Lord and return to God with a humble heart, soul, mind, and Spirit.

This is what Scripture tells us the rededication and prayer should look like,

God is faithful if we confess our sins and will forgive and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 19).

A Rededication Prayer To The Lord:

Dear Lord,

I want to confess my sin and thank you for hearing this prayer and helping me return to your love and mercy.

Lord, you know I have been haunted and trying to work out my pain and suffering. But Lord, I cannot do it alone and have come to seek your mercy and guidance to accomplish your will and dedication for my life. Lord, I place my faith in you and everything you hold dear.

Lord, you are the only one who freely gives love to all who ask with a simplicity that astounds me.

I seek your forgiveness and direction in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!

As followers of Christ, we should Seek God First!

For it is only in The Lord that we find a purpose for our backslider life within the Church. The Lord will help us be converted to change our attitude and focus on the service of the Lord.

We must discover God and our devotion to the Savior through prayer, meditation, and Church attendance. We must also dedicate time to reading and studying the Bible by believing and asking our Savior or clergy questions.

We must remain focused and dedicated to the Lord as followers of Christ!

King David is a great example in these passages of 2 Samuel 12, about the adulterous affair of Bathsheba and David and the ramifications of their behavior. David prays for forgiveness for his unjust behavior. I will share the text above to help you understand these events better.

(These are excerpts of David’s Prayer for cleanliness and rededication from Psalm 51:2-12.)

Wash me clean from my guilt.

Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion, it haunts me day and night. I have sinned against you alone; I have done what will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is;

David goes on to ask God’s forgiveness by saying:

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Please give me back my joy again; you have broken me — now let me rejoice.

Don’t keep looking at my sins. Instead, remove the stain of my guilt and create a clean heart, O God. Renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Instead, restore the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.

As followers of Christ, we should be willing to pray before the Lord to confess our shortcomings and ask for forgiveness.

Though not everyone can ask for forgiveness, I have met many people who have refused to admit they are wrong. So, how can you seek God’s forgiveness if you cannot accept being wrong?

When you are unsure you have sinned, you can still seek the forgiveness of the Savior by praying these words, which will lead to the forgiveness of others and your forgiveness, which is a bold step!

You must not say these words without meaning, for empty words are as bad as no words!

Lord, help me forgive those who have hurt me, and I ask for forgiveness for the hurt I have caused others in my lack of knowledge or understanding.

I seek and ask forgiveness in the name of Jesus.

Amen

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