To backslide is to lose ground, a falling away from what was once known. To know what that means in terms of being a Christian we have to ask ourselves what being a Christian means. In the first twelve chapters of Matthew it is clear that we must forsake the life we live apart from Christ (Mat 10:38) and turn to follow Him. Not only that but as followers of Christ we believe that He is the Son of God, not just a teacher or prophet sent by God but Jesus said when we look at Him we see the Father! Today I read about a parable Jesus told about a farmer who planted seed and the different types of soil the seed landed on as he scattered it. Two of the places that seed landed shows examples of a backward sliding. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts (Mat 13:19). Although brief take note that Jesus said the "seed" was planted in their hearts, which indicates that they did receive Jesus into their hearts but because they did not understand what they had the evil one snatched it away. Next we see something even more revealing, the seed on the rocky soil. This ground represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word (Mat 13:20-21). Jesus' own words "They fall away..." describes this backwards movement. Let me say after years of consideration I believe we have people on both sides of this ideal of backsliding that are simply wrong, although intending good but in fact causing harm. Some say of these two types, well they were never saved in the first place but they cannot determine the happenings inside someone else's heart. Others say we have to earn our salvation and be careful for one wrong move and what we were given will be taken from us but both ideals are misguided. When we come to Jesus and accept Him as Savior and Lord absolutely nothing or no one can take away what He gives us - we are secure. But at any point in the journey we can choose to leave behind what we once knew, meaning we can accept Him and be accepted ourselves by Him but because of a lack of understanding or problems or persecution we are free to walk away and leave behind all that Jesus gave us. If that offends I am sorry but my burning desire is that people are not blinded by a belief that this salvation offered by God is not costly, for it cost God His only Son and He asks of us to give up everything to follow Him.
(Matthew 10:38-40 NLT) "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it. Anyone who receives you receives Me, and anyone who receives Me receives the Father who sent Me."
