[Bible Question] Hi my name is ________ and what I’m asking and worried about is backsliding .. In 1999 I got saved born again…. Well after about 6 months, Satan put the perfect image of a guy, that was always the image of a guy, I always wanted growing up. Well I fought Satan but I gradually fell away and ended up living with that guy. Well in between 2000 and just before 2005 I rededicated and would stay in and get out several times and I done things that I never done in my life — bad things . But I still felt awful and miserable all along in between those years. I lost my child ( miscarried and I got very sick). Well in 05, I repented, rededicated and stayed in still today am. What I’ve cried about more than ever over the 9 years of living in bed due to a severe pain, chronic disease that is life threatening and getting sicker is falling God and not feeling the love of Jesus like I did (or having the gift of witnessing to others). God gave me a vision and several dreams in 05 and I was getting back where I once was with him. But in around 2008 -09 even though I was sick and not able to go to church and having to live around certain family members constantly arguing and a Dad that is saved but treated us wrong…. But to my point. Am I going to hell because I messed up and backslide? I don’t feel the peace or love or nothing from Jesus for so long and I watch preaching all the time in my bed I stay in the word of God, but I feel like he’s left me. Has he? Am I going to hell? I cry all the time and beg him to let me feel his love and presence. I don’t know what to do and it scares me because I want to be in heaven forever. I so want to be in the church house again but I’m too sick. If you can give me an answer I really need it. God bless you.
[Bible Answer] The key is to focus your attention on the Bible, what it says about backsliders and the possibility of them returning to salvation. When the prodigal repented of wild living and being with the prostitutes to serve the Father, was he accepted back with salvation again? YES, God took him back and very joyfully! The Bible is crystal clear that he was. It says:
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:22-24)
Though the prodigal was previously spiritually dead and lost when backslidden, his spiritual condition was reversed to become “alive again,” when he repented to serve God. THE SAME IS TRUE FOR YOU or any sincerely repentant backslider!
NOTE: Peter disowned Jesus three times. He definitely fell away at one point (Mt. 26:31-34). After he repented, was he accepted back by God? Was he used mightily after he returned to salvation? YES to both questions. Again, THE SAME IS TRUE FOR YOU (or anyone who repents to serve God). The Bible is final authority and FACT. Emotions can come and go and are not always trustworthy. The joy of salvation for backsliders, who sincerely and humbly repent, will return after awhile, but don’t focus on that. Focus on loving and being faithful to JESUS. Make the rest of your life an HONOR TO JESUS. Finally, guard your heart. Be sure the devil will try to trip you up again. The devil is trying to devour all Christians (1 Peter 5:8). You must hold on and endure to the end for salvation’s sake (Mt. 10:22; Heb. 3:14; Rev. 2:10,11). BE AFRAID, for you can be cut off, as Israel was (Rom. 11:19-23). There absolutely is NO eternal security. Examine the spiritual safeguards. [Perhaps our book, “The Believer’s Conditional Security” might help you too.] GOD BLESS YOU.
