The Following is an excerpt from a recent booklet written for the purpose of empowering new converts and to deal with the subject of defection. This subject is not dealt with on a wide scale, so it was necessary to put this in the hands of the people.
The goal is that the new believer not only begin to serve the Lord successfully but also finish this life as a disciple of Jesus successfully. In the words of Jesus: Luke 14:27-28 (KJV) 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?
The goal of this lesson is to provide a strategy that will deter defection.
Defection is defined as “abandoning a person, cause, or doctrine to which one is bound by some tie, as of allegiance or duty.” The New Testament speaks of apostasy, which is the abandoning of your faith. There are examples of this in the lives of individuals who served the Lord but at some point abandoned their faith. Probably the most famous example of this in the New Testament is Judas Iscariot. In our church, and in many fundamental, traditional churches, the term “backslide” is more familiar. The term “backslide can be defined as “to lapse morally or in the practice of religion.” Our goal in the life of a Christian is to avoid backsliding at all costs.
“Only a fool learns from his own mistakes. The wise man learns from the mistakes of others” – Otto von Bismarck
What is a backslider?
Hosea 4:16 For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer: now the LORD will feed them as a lamb in a large place.
Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself
A backslider is an individual who begins to back away (Hosea 4:16) from their relationship with God.
1 Timothy 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Jesus likened the backslider to a son leaving his father’s house in Luke 15. We call this the story of the “Prodigal Son.” The son leaves his father’s house and goes to a far country. His spiritual condition is highlighted after his return to his father’s house when the father declares:
Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Now that you have found a new life in Christ, you will never be the same. If you were to choose to backslide, you would no longer be an ignorant sinner, but you would live the life of a transgressor.
Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Transgress – to go beyond the moral bounds
Your Strategy for Staying Saved
Writer Charles Conn identifies three key aspects essential for being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Those three things are: 1) The Cross 2) The Yoke, and 3) The Plow. None of these seem to be comfortable but these three things are essential to your success as a child of God.
The Cross
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
The Yoke
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The Plow
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Church Attendance
One of the biggest strengths of any Christian is the value of the House of God in the individual’s life. In the study we looked at in the beginning of this lesson, there was no accountability to church attendance, and the attendance percentage was very low.
Hebrews 10:22-25 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
In this portion of scripture, the writer of Hebrews connects drawing near, assurance of faith, freedom from an evil conscience, holding the profession of faith without wavering, and provoking love and good works with assembling yourselves.
The New Testament Church put a high value on the community of the church.
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them
The Greek Word for “church” in the New Testament is “ekklesia.” Ekklesia is a Greek word defined as “a called-out assembly or congregation.” That means some may say that they are a part of the church even though they are not in attendance. It is impossible to be a part of Ekklesia and not be a part of the “assembly.” Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. This shows the divine protection that accompanies being a part of the Ekklesia. Ephesians 4 tells us that we are edified and perfected by the ministry of the church.
Corporate worship edifies you, places you in a place of unity with other believers of like faith, your faith is strengthened, you receive instruction from the Word, you are a partaker of spiritual gifts, correction and reproof are there for your perfecting, and you are surrounded with a system that promotes your spiritual well-being.
The neglect of church attendance is a true sign that priorities are not in order. We must value the House of God and see its importance in the life of a believer. As we can see, no one who actively neglects church attendance will be strong or survive.
If you would like to read this booklet in its entirety or would like to share it with your church or ministry, please feel free to contact us. Our vision is to empower the body and see individuals become lifelong followers of Jesus!
Pastor Smith
