Backslidden

The sins you do two by two
You pay for one by one
Idella Jane Hicks Kamber

When I was a teenager, I was called to work with the deaf. Never followed through, because that's when I quit going to church.

Do you know why I quit going to church? Because I was not allowed to wear lipstick. I couldn't see how it was a sin, especially since those Assembly of God hypocrites slapped on the power and rouge thicker than flour on chicken. And GOSSIP. Boy, they were bad! Then later, they all got TV's - but wouldn't step foot inside a movie theater. IT WAS A SIN. I couldn't see the difference there either.

I used to feel that God would punish those ole biddies for driving me away from the Lord; but not too long ago, I was able to forgive them. I know Jesus has, too, and won't hold it against them. Just like the sins I have committed, for many of them I didn't know any better. Same with them. That's why I let go of my anger towards them. Especially my Great Aunt Hazel. She was the worst.

I wish I'd had the right guiding forces. I wish I'd never stopped going to church. I regret the backslidden life I led for two reasons:

1. For the bad effect it had on my children.
2. For each sin that I committed, the horrible agony was increased for Jesus when he was crucified for my sins.

I have to admit that I am still an old reprobate. I still don't go to church. I don't read my Bible every day. I do try to pray every day for my kids though. And I love Jesus with all of my heart. I'm so glad I have the reassurance that the Blood of Jesus covers all of my sins so that I can go to Heaven to be with Him and my loved ones some day.

I'm also so glad that anytime a person "backslides", that doesn't mean he/she is going to Hell. Jesus will eventually reign His Own in, after they have been chastised in the World for a while.

Old Beezlebub, the anointing blood of Jesus and the Warrior Angels are making sure that I will always be a Child of God. You can't have me or mine! So DEPART, DEPART, DEPART !!

I'm on a "frontslide" now.

---

The whole "secret" of being able to live in this life without backsliding to the point that there's very little room for Jesus lies in those simple words: Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. I heard and read those words so many times in my youth. They never really sunk in. I wish I hadn't been so dumb!

Galatians 5:16-24

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these:

adultery fornication uncleanness lasciviousness

idolatry witchcraft hatred variance

emulations wrath strife seditions

heresies envyings murders drunkenness revellings

and such like of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is:

love joy peace

long suffering gentleness goodness

faith meekness temperance

against such there is no law.

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
[Think on that verse for a while and let it soak in.]

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow.
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)

YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go.
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

Though I am no longer young,
I have much which He's begun.
Let me serve Christ with a smile,
Go with others the extra mile.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does he know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.