Relapse

STUDY: #872-CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: SEPT. 29 – OCT. 5, 2015

Topic: "Relapse" Proverbs 14:14 Relapsing is when you incur or fall into the same mistake, offense or crime. It’s when someone comes into a regression. Proverbs 14:14 reads "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; and a good man shall be satisfied from himself." A person who becomes fed up with the Path of the Lord, leaves and will suffer the consequences of their wandering. In the book of Ruth we can see what Naomi, the Jew, suffered for leaving her land to go to Moab. She said, "The Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty." (Ruth 1: 20-21a) We can also see it in the prodigal son when he exclaimed, “How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!" (Luke 15:17). When someone lives wandering away from God they will only come to ruins, and things so bad that they could have never imagined. Therefore, a good man shall be satisfied with the chosen Path. We can see the great indifference of some towards the Holy. (Matthew 24:12) "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.") When a believer has lost an interest for the Holy, watching TV is better than praying to the Father. An indifference towards God makes commitments at work, school, meetings, etc. more important than worshiping the Lord. It becomes difficult to congregate in church, and when they are absent they give excuses that are essentially lies. It’s because there’s no interest in God within them. Their heart no longer beats for what is Holy. They have done as the prodigal son; left their place to enjoy the impure, and sinful. But finding joy in the world is ephemeral. And since it doesn’t fill them, they have to seek more, and more until they’ve become exhausted. All of this is contrary to a life with God; where despite the little we receive, HE FILLS ALL OUR BEING FROM HEAD TO TOE! To receive some enjoyment from the world we have to make great efforts; but not in Christ. Everything is free! Evilness grows within the person that turns away from God. When evil seizes them; the love for the Holy dies down. And one cannot be two sources of water. This is why the person finally falls, and dies. (Luke 9:62 "Jesus replied ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’.") The person will be an inept for the kingdom. Those who love Christ do not follow Him halfway or get carried away by sentimentalities nor unrealistic dreams. They don’t let family or friends keep them from a total and complete surrender to Him. The Lord Jesus Christ should dwell in our hearts without any competition. All other loves, and allegiances should be subordinate to the Lord; subjected to Him as inferior. Galatians 4:9 "But now that you know God- or rather are known by God ..." God knows who you are, and He wants to tell you so today. How were the brothers of Galatia going to justify turning away from the truth? They no longer abided by grace, but by the law. Their flesh, and passions would dominate their lives. Although they didn’t know God by having experienced Him in a deep, and profound sense, God had at least known them; that is, they were saved. But they decided to stray away from His power, and riches; from His grace. Instead they turned to the weak, and poor beginnings (principles) of what they had previously followed: the law. What? They preferred to become slaves again under the law, with the things that could neither save nor enrich their souls, but only impoverish them. Do not become a slave or idolater by leaving Jesus, and running to what you were before the Lord came into your life! Hebrews 10:38 "... and I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." We live to stand firmly! We live in fear of displeasing God! The life that pleases God is one of faith. "The just shall live by faith ..." This is the life that contemplates the invisible, and perseveres to the end. That’s how a person

that values God’s promises lives. The life that displeases God renounces to the Messiah, and returns to the path of the world. God says: And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. If you go back, you cannot please God in what He expects of you. You will not accomplish what He expected of you. Revelation 2:4. "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first." Have you abandoned your first love for Him? When the fire of your affection is extinguished it means that the love has disappeared, cooled down. It’s when the "burning enthusiasm" of the beginning days has disappeared. Many Christians who have cooled down can look back, and remember the better days when their bridal love for Christ flowed warmly, fully and freely. Some remain in a healthy doctrine, and actively serve, but have forgotten the real reason for worship and service: love for God! Let us faithfully follow He who has given us everything! Let’s continue on the path in fear, dedication, and discipline. Jesus is wonderful. Let us contemplate His works, love and greatness. He cares for us, guides us, continues to do miracles, and gives us eternal life. How can we stray from the one who loves our soul? Let’s love Him with more strength with each passing day!!! Amen.