How To Recover After Backsliding

Scripture Reading:  Luke 15:11-32

OPENING:  The last two weeks we looked at the signs of a backslidden heart and the consequences. This evening we are going to look at how to recover from a backslidden state.

     Convict, Repent:

          1. Remember when you are fallen … Ask yourself if you are showing the signs … Deliberately contrast your present state with that when you walked with God.

          2. Take home the conviction of your true position. Don't delay, understand the exact situation between God and your soul.

          3. Repent at once, and do your first works over again. The Bible tells us that true repentance will result in a change of actions:

          *Luke 3:8-14* 

          Acts 3:19  Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

          Acts 26:20  “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

          The full biblical definition of repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of action.

          4. Do not attempt to get back, by correcting only your outside conduct. Begin with your heart, and immediately set yourself right with God.

          5. Do not act like a more convicted sinner, and attempt to “make-up” to God by any doing works or prayers.

          Do not think that you must "reform, and make yourself better" before you can come to Christ, … Understand this, Coming to Christ, alone, can make you better …  However, think how distressed you are, be sure that until you repent and accept His will, unconditionally, you are no better, but are constantly growing worse.

          Until you throw yourself on His sovereign mercy, and return to God, He will accept nothing from you.

          6. Do not imagine yourself to be in a justified state, you know you’re not. Your conscience condemns you, and you know that God should condemn us, and if He justified you in your present state, your conscience could not justify Him.

          Come to Christ at once, like a guilty, condemned sinner, as you are.  Own up, and take all the shame and blame to yourself. Remember this, no matter how far you were from God, He still loves you—He has loved you with an everlasting love, with loving kindness drawing you close.