Ask the Pastor

By Pastor Scott Denham of Harvest Fellowship, Shambaugh, IA

Clarinda Herald Journal Publication Date : 07/11/2007

Spiritual Adultery

“What does God think about backsliders?”

In Scripture, backsliders are those who have once followed God, but no longer do so. Consider Jeremiah 3:14 (KJV), which reads; "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you."

The context for this verse is God’s call to the nation of Israel at a time in which they are abandoning genuine faith for sin and idolatry. (Sounds a lot like the times in which we live, doesn’t it?) Having served the Lord, they turned away from his commands, or rather had slid backwards into their former sinful state.

In saying, "I am married unto you," God employs the metaphor of marriage to remind Israel that they are in a covenant-relationship with the Lord, the breaking of which is like unto adultery. When one "backslides" in their relationship with God, the oath of fidelity is fractured, just as in the case of adultery. God's people began faithfully, but they neglected their relationship with God and slid into spiritual adultery.

God, however, does not readily abandon His wayward people. The book of Hosea uses the same marriage metaphor to describe God as a faithful husband whose wife (Israel) has left Him for prostitution (sin). Rather than letting her go her own way to destruction, God pursues reconciliation. Israel, God’s bride, is forgiven and restored to God’s home.

This merciful approach is well expressed in John Gill's commentary: "O marvelous grace! God's own children may backslide... when love waxes cold, faith declines, zeal wanting; when they get into a carnal sleepy frame of spirit, and have not that quick sense of sin, and of duty. ..when private prayer is restrained; public worship is neglected; get into bad company, and fall into gross sins... but God will not leave them, he calls unto them again and again to turn unto Him by repentance..."

How about you--have you backslidden? Did you once serve God, but now are away from Him? Having begun faithfully, have you turned from His righteous laws to pursue self and sin? Thank God, He has not changed and is not content to just let wandering souls go to hell without offering fresh forgiveness and reconciliation in relationship!

God is pursuing you , and He will not let you go without a fight. No matter what you've done, or how far you have fallen, it's time turn for home. God is waiting with open arms.

--Pastor Scott (www.askpastorscott.com)