What's the differences in backslidden and lukewarm?

Often we hear that some Christians are backslidden or lukewarm as if that's the same thing, well it's not there is a difference.

Lukewarm Christians

A lukewarm Christian is not commenting all that many sins in fact they may not be sinning any more the any normal Christian, the lukewarm Christian is someone who has lost their passion for Christ, they no longer read the Bible or if they do read it then it's just like reading any other book they do not read it like it is the word of God and food for the soul.

The lukewarm Christian just goes through the motions of being a Christian without the zeal and excitement that a Christian should have, when they pray it's just words there is no real connection to God, they don't feel him and they don't listen for him to speak to them in that still small voice that all Christians can hear if they just take the time to listen.

These people are in danger of losing any rewards that God wants them to earn and they are also at risk of missing the rapture and if they do then they will have to stay behind to be tested so they can prove to God that they are worthy of heaven.

Revelation 3:16
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Backslidden Christians

Now, the backslidden Christian is someone that used to be a true Christian, however for whatever reason they let sin rob them of being close to God, they once again began to concentrate on the world, maybe it was making money or sex whatever the reason they found another God that is more important to them than the one true God.

These people know deep down that they have drifted away from God and most of the time they plan on returning to him someday, the problem is as the days and years go by they get set in their ways and many times death finds these people before they ever get around to returning to God and then they are in trouble because at best they will be allowed to enter heaven without any rewards and they will have to live in shame forever in heaven because they let this world get to them and they never completed the work God had planned for them, they may not become kings and rule and reign with Christ because they were not overcomers.

At worst they failed so bad and sinned so much that they drifted so far from God that they won't even be allowed to enter heaven and that's not something they ever expected to happen but they allowed sin to destroy their relationship with Jesus Christ and they once again return to a life of sin.

Anyway you look at it the best thing to do is stay true to your commitment and relationship to Jesus Christ and live a life that is true to his will and pray with passion and conviction and live as close as you can to being Christ like now I know we can never truly become Christ like in this life but we can and must strive to be as much like Christ as we can be if we want to become overcomers and rule and reign with him forever.

Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

How is your relationship with Jesus?

Was there a time when you were more zealous, more useful, prayerful, tenderhearted and loving than you are today?

Are you drawing closer or sliding backward?

Are you getting more on fire for Jesus or growing lukewarm?

Are you now trusting in your good works to save you or are you trusting in the blood of Christ?

Are you seeking worldly pleasures or do you find your greatest pleasure in serving Jesus Christ.

Is there anyone or anything more important to you then Jesus Christ?

We naturally enjoy spending time with the one we love most, and we naturally find our greatest pleasure in doing the things that please them.

We are jealous of anything that would get in the way of that, or that might grieve the one we love.

So, if you find yourself gaining interest in things that grieve the Spirit of God or that occupy the time you once spent in His presence and service, then you are a backslider in heart. You are filled with your own ways.

Listen to your conscience. It will do no good to pretend you are not backslidden when you know you are not as on fire for God as you once were.

Unless you return to God now you will not get better, you will only grow worse. Why continue to grieve the Spirit of the Lord and harden your heart?

Allow the Holy Spirit to bring godly sorrow upon you that works repentance to salvation. Humble yourself NOW, return to your first love and be renewed and revived. Then do your first works over again.

Today it's not too late to return to Christ, tomorrow may be, do it now or you may regret it forever.

May God bless you all.

Rev. JR Seabolt

Return Home