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THE EVIL AND DANGER OF BACKSLIDING
SUCH is the influence of bad example, that it is extremely difficult to withstand its attractions, even at the time that we behold its fatal effects. Israel, or the ten tribes, from their first apostasy under Jeroboam, were irreclaimably addicted to idolatry. The prophet, finding his efforts vain with respect to them, turns to Judah, and entreats that they would not tread in the steps of Israel [Note: ver. 15. At Gilgal and at Bethel, where God had formerly been worshipped, idols were now set up. The prophet, exhorting Judah not to go to those places, calls Beth-el (the house of God) Beth aven (the house of vanity).], who, like an untamed and refractory bullock, had entirely cast off the yoke, and refused all subjection to Jehovah.
Humiliating as this account of Israel is, it is but too just a representation of the Christian world, whose conduct is utterly unworthy of the name they bear, and from whose ways we cannot stand at too great a distance.
To impress this awful truth upon your minds, we propose to shew,
I. When we may be said to resemble a backsliding heifer—
We owe submission to our heavenly Master; but give too much reason for the comparison in the text. This resemblance may be seen in us,
1. When we will not draw in God’s yoke at all—
[Unconverted men in every age and place are rebels against God [Note: Exo_5:2. Psa_12:4. Jer_2:31; Jer_7:24.]: and, though all are not equally profligate in their manners, all are equally averse to spiritual employments: the law of God is considered as imposing on them an intolerable yoke, to which they will not, they cannot submit [Note: Rom_8:7.]. They are indeed subjected to it against their will; but neither chastisements nor encouragements can prevail upon them to draw in it: on the contrary, like a ferocious bullock, they are insensible of favours, and they fret at rebukes [Note: Jer_31:18.].]
2. When we draw in it only by fits and starts—
[Many appear willing to obey God in a time of sickness [Note: Isa_26:16.], or after some signal deliverance [Note: Psa_106:12-13.], or under an impressive sermon [Note: Exo_24:3; Exo_24:7. Jam. 24.], or during a season of peace and tranquillity [Note: Mat_13:21.]: but, as soon as ever the particular occasion that called forth their pious resolutions has ceased, or they find that they must suffer for Christ’s sake, they forget the vows that are upon them, and return to their former state of carelessness and indifference [Note: Psa_78:34-37.]. They renew their resolutions perhaps at certain seasons; but “their goodness is as the morning dew, or as the early cloud that passeth away.” Thus, like a heifer that will draw for one moment and will not the next, they are, in the strongest sense of the words, unprofitable servants.]
3. When we grow weary of the yoke—
[It is not uncommon for persons to go on well for a season, and yet draw back at last. They grow weary of performing their duties, of exercising their graces, of mortifying their lusts. If they maintain an observance of public duties, they become remiss in those of the family and the closet: their delight in the Scriptures languishes; their meditations are cold; their devotions formal. Their faith, their hope, their love operate with less vital energy: and their besetting sins, whatever they were, regain their strength, and resume their ascendancy. These are like a horse or bullock, which, after having yielded to the yoke for a season, becomes restive and ungovernable, and disappoints thereby the expectations of its owner.]
Lest the frequency of these characters should tempt us to think favourably of them, we proceed to shew,
II. The evil and danger of such a state—
We shall notice,
1. The evil of it—
[A backslidden state, in whomsoever it is found, is exceeding sinful: but in those who have made some profession of religion, it is attended with peculiar aggravations.
It is a contemning of God; of his Majesty, which demands our subjection, and of his mercy, which would accept and reward our poor services. And it is in this light that God himself frequently complains of it [Note: Num_11:20. 1Sa_2:30 and 2Sa_12:10. Psa_10:13.].
It is a justifying of the wicked; for it says to them, in fact, “I was once as you are, and thought I should become happier by serving God: but I find by experience that there is no profit in serving him; and therefore I am returning to your state, which is, on the whole, the happier and more desirable.”
It is a discouraging of the weak. Little do false professors think how much evil they do in this way [Note: Mal_2:8.]. Many are induced to follow their example in some things, under the idea that they are innocent; and are thus drawn from one sin to another, till they make shipwreck of a good conscience, and utterly turn away from the faith.
And need we multiply words any further to shew the evil of backsliding from God? Well does God himself call it “a wonderful and horrible thing [Note: Jer_5:30.].”]
2. The danger of it—
[This is an iniquity which God marks with peculiar indignation [Note: Jer_2:19; Jer_2:21-22,]; and never fails to visit it, sooner or later, with some awful token of his displeasure.
The first symptoms of declension lead, if not speedily mourned over and resisted, to utter apostasy [Note: Pro_14:14.]. The disposition to backslide will soon increase, till it become inveterate, and, unless by a marvellous interposition of God himself, incurable.
The misery that will be incurred by means of it will far exceed all that would have been endured, if no profession of religion had ever been made. “If any man draw back,” says God, “my soul shall have no pleasure in him:” he “draws back to certain anil everlasting perdition [Note: Heb_10:38-39.]:” and “it would have been better for him never to have known the way of righteousness, than, after having known it, to turn back from it [Note: Mat_12:45. 2Pe_2:21.].”
Let these consequences be duly weighed, and nothing need be added to shew us the importance of “holding fast our profession without wavering.”]
To improve this subject, we shall,
1. Assist you in ascertaining your state before God—
[Since all are “bent to backslide” more or less, it is of great importance to inquire of what kind our backslidings are, and to see whether they are merely the infirmities of an upright soul, or the revolt of an apostate. It is indeed difficult to determine this with precision; yet something may be said to aid you in this inquiry.
Examine diligently the cause, the duration, and the effects of your backslidings. Those of the sincere arise from the weakness of their flesh, while yet their spirit is as willing as ever: but those of the hypocrite proceed from a radical disaffection to the ways of God. Those of the sincere continue but a little time, and are an occasion of greater diligence: those of the hypocrite remain, and become the habit of his soul. Those of the sincere humble him in the dust: those of the hypocrite produce a blindness of mind, a scaredness of conscience, and a hardness of heart.
But though we thus discriminate for the information of your judgment, we recommend all to stand fast in the Lord, and to guard against the first risings of spiritual decay [Note: Gal_6:9.].]
2. Give a word of counsel to those in different states—
[Are you altogether backslidden from God? O return to him, and take upon you his “light and easy yoke!” He invites you with all the tenderness of a father [Note: Jer_3:12; Jer_3:14; Jer_3:22.]; he declares himself exceedingly averse to punish you according to your desert [Note: Hos_11:7-8.]; and he promises to “heal your backslidings, and love you freely [Note: Hos_14:4.].”
Are you drawing in his yoke? Bless and adore your God, who has inclined and enabled you to do so. It is his power, and his power alone, that has kept you hitherto [Note: 1Pe_1:5.]; and therefore he must have all the praise. And in order to your continued steadfastness, reflect often on the evil and danger of backsliding; I may add too, on the comfort and benefit of serving God. Surely He is a good Master. Let but your hearts be right with him, and “none of his commandments will appear grievous to you [Note: 1Jn_5:3.]:” on the contrary, you will find that “in keeping his commandments there is great reward [Note: Psa_19:11.],” and that your labour shall not be in vain with respect to the eternal world. “Be ye faithful unto death, and he will give you a crown of life [Note: Rev_2:10.].”]