The Backslider and the Wicked

There are two kinds of people in this world, and you are one of them.  There are those who backslide away from God, and those who don’t.  Who do you suppose is worse off?  It may surprise you to hear—it's not the backslider.  How so?  Simply put, everyone who knows God is also a backslider.  The one who has never backslid from God is worse off because they’ve never known God.  There is nothing for them to backslide away from.  God calls them wicked.  On the other hand, there is no person on Earth who has known God, who has completely refrained from backsliding at one time.  Just in case you are doubting, I think it should be understood that every single sin is a backslide.  Unless of course, sin is obedience?  I think not.  And, don't we all sin?

I propose that there are two different kinds of people in this world—the at times disobedient backslider, and the always disobedient wicked—which one are you?

Isaiah 57:17-19 (the backslider)
 

¹⁷ For the iniquity of his covetousness
I was angry and struck him;
I hid and was angry,
And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
¹⁸ I have seen his ways, and will heal him;
I will also lead him,
And restore comforts to him
And to his mourners.

¹⁹ “I create the fruit of the lips:
Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,”
Says the Lord,
“And I will heal him.”

Isaiah 57:20-21 (the wicked)

²⁰ But the wicked are like the troubled sea,
When it cannot rest,
Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.

²¹ “There is no peace,”
Says my God, “for the wicked.”

This is not to justify backsliding as anything but sin.  In fact, to sin is to backslide—to backslide is to sin.  However, another irony, I think, is that the backslider is the one humble in heart.  He has backslid, but not forever.  God will restore him.  The backslider *knows* he has sinned; he knows he is a sinner and COMES BACK to God through repentance.

The backslider or the wicked: which one are you?  Nothing I can say will change it, but your actions hereto will reveal it.

Luke 18:10-14

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.  And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.

For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

"First" post

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I'm going to try blogging again (sorry in advance--haha). I've had a blog on Xanga.com for a long time, but it's also been a long time since I've really been active in posting anything. Anyways, I really don't have anything new yet... so I'll start with my last post from that other blog at www.xanga.com/daniel_1012, which was over a year ago.  Need to jazz up the layout on this one a bit...
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Democracy. Not all it's cracked up to be.

 

Position of Democracy: Presumes to give "power to the people", by allowing them to vote on issues/those in office. In doing so, you will arrive at the greater good--by the people and for the people--by polling the majority.

Biblical Conflict: God's Word (texturally in the Bible) says people are inherently wrong, and have a sin nature. Apart from Christ, which is the majority, we have no hope of conquering this sin. If left to their own devices, as a majority, people will choose what is evil. (Romans 3:12; Romans 7:18, 25)

Position of Democracy: You have rights. Your rights are an accumulation of voting and legislation by those in office, also appointed by voting.

Biblical Conflict: Contrary to popular belief, God's Word doesn't really give us (the Christian) "rights" persay. What His Word does give us, is commands. He commands us to love Him, and love others (among a number of other specifics). He commands the unbelieving world to be like us by putting their faith in His Son, Jesus. These commands are propetually given a back seat to our rights given in democracy. The only promise you have is that you will be persecuted for being righteous. (Micah 6:8; 2 Tim 3:12; 1 John 3:23).  Something that in democracy (persecution), you have a right to avoid.

Position of Democracy: You vote into office the powers that be, into office.

Biblical Conflict: God sovereignly appoints the powers that be, without your vote. (Romans 13:1)

Position of Democracy: The best way to govern man. It gives the poor the oppertunity to be rich. If you can do this, you will be a great example of rags to riches.

Biblical Conflict: God is the total and only King.  Asking for any other authoritative ruling is ultimately a lack of faith and to reject Him (see 1 Samuel chapter 8).  He gives and takes away at His command (Job 1:21).  Jesus' Kingdom is not of this world (the best Kingdom), and goes by an entirely different set of guidelines for attaining power in the world to come. You can be rich without any money. (John 18:36; Matthew 20:8-16; James 2:5)

Position of Democracy: Physical freedom from/among our peers in society is a blessing.

Biblical Conflict: Physical slavery and oppression from/among our peers in society is a blessing. (Matthew 5:10; 1 Corinthians 7:22; James 1:2)

It is spiritual, true, and eternal freedom (from sin) that is the true blessing. This is found in Christ alone--not democracy.