Does God Condemn Backsliders?

Backsliding is when a born-again believer in Christ turns back to sin or becomes stubborn in his heart and refuses to submit to the will of God in his life. The outward actions are only symptoms of the real problem -- the attitude of the heart -- which must be dealt with in order to change the actions.

Backsliding is like carnality, in that your own desires and devices are acted out as opposed to God's will (I Corinthians 3:3; Proverbs 14:14CloseProverbs 14:14 Backsliders get what they deserve;  good people receive their reward. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

What Scripture Says

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place" (Revelation 2:4-5CloseRevelation 2:4-5 "But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!* Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don't repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).

"Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25CloseHebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save* those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

"When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you" (Luke 15:17CloseLuke 15:17 "When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, `At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ,.18).

"...let him turn to the Lord...for he will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:7CloseIsaiah 55:7 Let the wicked change their ways  and banish the very thought of doing wrong.Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them.  Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely..." (Hosea 14:4CloseHosea 14:4 The LORD says,"Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;  my love will know no bounds,  for my anger will be gone forever. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).

Does God Condemn Backsliders?

God does not condemn us -- our own wickedness and backsliding do that (Jeremiah 2:19CloseJeremiah 2:19 Your wickedness will bring its own punishment.  Your turning from me will shame you.You will see what an evil, bitter thing it is  to abandon the LORD your God and not to fear him.  I, the Lord, the LORD of Heaven's Armies, have spoken! OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). Nor did Jesus come to do so, but to give us life abundantly (John 10:10CloseJohn 10:10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). Therefore, if you will confess your sins, God will forgive you (I John 1:9). Accept His forgiveness and then forgive yourself.

Forgive those who have wronged you. Go to anyone you have wronged or resented and ask their forgiveness. Make restitution in whatever ways you can for any wrongs your backsliding has caused. If you are not baptized with the Holy Spirit, ask for and receive it (Luke 11:13CloseLuke 11:13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ). Then grow in Jesus and the way of the Lord. The Holy Spirit gives a Christian the ability to overcome sin. He gives power to be a Christ-like person. He guides, comforts, teaches spiritual truth, and equips with the gifts and qualities of God (Acts 1:8CloseActs 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ; John 14:16CloseJohn 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,* who will never leave you. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ; I Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:22-23CloseGalatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) ).