Brown's Daily Word 11-11-09

Praise the Lord for this day and for all the days the Lord does give us on the earth. "Better is one day in your house, o Lord than a thousand elsewhere". We received an e-mail from Laureen yesterday. She said that the Lord is blessing their ministry in Bangkok tremendously. They are primarily presenting the Gospel in College and University settings. They were also able to visit a leprosy Colony. The Land is beautiful, the people are fascinating and very receptive to the Gospel, which moved her greatly. Laureen came down with the flu, which has been going through their team. Please keep on praying for the team that the Holy Spirit will give all the team members His fresh anointing and boldness that the team members and their testimony will be a great threat to the kingdom of darkness. As they sing the songs of Redemption, pray that Satan will tremble and that the people will rejoice.
I love to read some of the Christian Classics. One of the great Christian classics is "The Pilgrims Progress", written by John Bunyan (1628 - 1688). John Bunyan coined the word "backslid." In the story, the characters of "Christian" and "Hopeful" are on their spiritual pilgrimage. While on the journey, they begin to discuss an individual by the name of "Temporary." The character "Temporary" had started the pilgrimage; but, along the way he fell by the wayside; or, as John Bunyan worded it, he "backslid." The word "backslid" was picked up, particularly; but, not exclusively, by the Methodist denomination in early America and became a stock phrase - it referred to those once faithful individuals who had lost interest in their Christian pilgrimage!
There are some denominations that do not affirm the concept of backsliding - they believe in the concept once saved always saved! Many have not affirmed that concept because it implies that a person who becomes a Christian true believer loses his or her free will to turn away! The individual who was free to choose the way of Jesus, the Christ, is still free to turn his or her back upon it! Mankind - both male and female - can experience no level of grace that is beyond the possibility of falling!
The Biblical Old Testament character, Saul, the first king of Israel, began a promising career! There was not a man among the people of Israel who offered more potential in leadership! He represented more than a king; he represented hope! Yet, Saul was eaten up with jealousy when the young David appeared on the scene and stole the spotlight! Twice he attempted to have David killed! So, we see a life that was set for success and honor ending up in failure and tragedy!
The Biblical New Testament character, Demas, is only mentioned in the Bible three (3) times! The first instance was in the epistle to Philemon, when Paul introduced Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas and Lucas (or, Luke) as his fellow laborers. At that point in time, we can see that Demas was held in great esteem - he was equal with Luke, a fellow labourer, and is even mentioned before him! It is quite evident that at this point, Demas is a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ!
The second time Demas was mentioned in Colossians 4:14 (KJV): "Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you." Something seems to have changed! Luke is mentioned first rather than Demas! Not only that, but there are words of praise, "the beloved physician", for Luke, but Demas was mentioned only by name! Apparently, Demas was beginning to slow down!
Finally, in the third instance, the Apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 4:10 (KJV), has this to say, "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica;..." There you have it - the story of a man’s life in a few words! What started out with so much promise ended up in disappointment. Backsliding is not merely a problem for Biblical characters; it is an issue for the modern-day community of faith! How many times have you heard people in the church say, "You know, I haven’t seen so and so for a long time" or "So and so used to be active; but..."? There can be no argument about the reality of backsliding either in the Holy Bible or the local congregation!
We live in a time of "cheap grace". There are certain periods in our lives when we are more susceptible to backsliding - to turning back and no longer following Jesus Christ!
An overwhelming number of people backslide because their priorities get turned around. Increasingly, people resort to excuses as to why they cannot come to church! It may be an indication of a dwindling spiritual life as hobbies, jobs, and even family crowd God out of the picture! The road to backsliding) is paved with excuses! It will cripple the Christian life!
All living things can die through neglect. Gardens, friendships, and marriages all wither if they are not nourished! Individuals do not simply wake up one morning and announce that from now on they will not be Christians. It is more often true that people ease out of a once vital faith simply through neglect and inattention. The flame of faith is extinguished through neglect.
May the Lord grant us afresh and anew the commitment, discipleship, longsuffering, and faithfulness which are the marks of a committed Christian.
May the Lord provoke us to finish the race well.
In Jesus the pioneer and the perfector of our faith,
Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNbLtiG2dWU