Half backslid.
What does that even mean? It’s old-school, common among church-folk talk when referring to those who have, “one foot in and one foot out.”
Every morning, during my prayer time, I pray for our congregation. I try to envision every seat in our sanctuary from the previous service and those sitting in them. Many times, the Lord highlights a person or family, and I can sense it… intercession (the act of intervening on behalf of another person). In other words, standing in the gap – another good, old-fashioned phrase among church-folk. And many times, I will get a word of knowledge or wisdom (I Cor. 12:8, gifts of the Holy Spirit) to know exactly what to pray regarding that person/family.
I thank God for this calling on my life. I’m grateful – overwhelming grateful – that He chose me. But, I’ll be honest, when I’m prompted to pray for a person who’s half backslid… it rips at my heart. Out of all the prayers, this one physically hurts my heart.
Let me explain why.
The word of God is full of scriptures about having one foot in and one foot out. Well, not in those exact words, but indeed the concept. When I read those scriptures, I can’t help but think of so many who struggle in that area; the area of being half backslid. God calls it “lukewarm.” The most popular scripture passage regarding this is found in Revelation 3. It’s most famous, yet one of the most avoided in the church today!
In this passage, the Lord says, “So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless) and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].”
Lukewarm christianity is useless… it’s dangerous… it’s a slippery, downard slope…
Some may think: That’s harsh! That’s mean! That hurts my feelings. In reality, THAT IS FREEING, friends! He doesn’t stop there; He gives hope and instruction. Read on…
“Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will].”
Lukewarm Christianity is not neutral. Some may think it’s neither this nor that, it just is. But God calls it sinful behavior. Sinful behavior breaks His heart and should break the hearts of every pastor and minister. The good news is that eager repentance will break sinful behavior.
I know it’s hard to imagine that you could be a lukewarm Christian. You’re a good person. You keep score; you know your percentage church attendance for the month, you know your tithes and offering amounts are on target, you know you don’t go out sinnin’ around, you don’t go clubbing, partying, foul-mouthing, getting drunk, sleeping around… and, I could go on and on. But those things are not the gauge. The indicator is the Word of God. What does He say about it?
I John 3:10, “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Do you practice righteousness daily? Do you have bitterness or hatred toward someone (notably, a fellow brother or sister in Christ)?
Matthew 16:26, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
What are you working to gain? Does your weekly walk and routine exhibit a hunger for God and His word?
2 Cor. 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
Who are you spending the most time with outside of family? Do you fellowship with people who are not feeding or nourishing your soul? Are you doing business with people of opposite beliefs? Are you partnering with people who are not walking in the light of God’s truth? While we should most definitely be spending some time with non-believers as a witness for Jesus, we should not be allowing them to advise us or become intimate with us.
Those are a few things we can use to gauge our Christianity-temperature. What is the goal? To be red hot for Jesus or stone cold against Him. That sounds so odd to our ears. But, it’s precisely what the Lord Himself said, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.”
Lukewarm Christianity is useless. Why? Because it’s not a burning expression of who Jesus is. It isn’t passionate and powerful.
Lukewarm Christianity is dangerous. Why? Because it’s deceptive to the person. It’s hypocritical. It makes the person think they are in right standing with God, with just enough foot in to feel right about it. The scary thing is they have just enough foot out to slide them into destruction. There’s no firm foothold or foundation to keep them. With the first lousy day or emotional moment, God becomes the problem in the person’s heart, not to Whom they entirely turn.
The bottom line is lukewarm Christianity is a slippery, downward slope. God says He wants us to go big or don’t go at all, all in or all out, commit one way or the other. He doesn’t want us to live useless or dangerous lives that result in misery or worse, everlasting destruction. Not to mention, it’s ripple effect on those closest to us, our spouses and children or parents and siblings.
It’s 100 in or 100 out, but half is not an option.
Half backslid. One foot in, one foot out.
“Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:16
Don’t look back. You’re not going that way. Move forward, whole-heartedly, with passion and burning zeal to know God more and see others come to know Him. Stay connected with your church, your pastors, your leaders, and your on-fire peers! I promise this will help keep you red hot for Jesus.
