I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT? (part-60)

I’M SAVED NOW WHAT?

CONCERN FOR OTHERS WHO ARE BACKSLIDING:
How should we respond whenever we see someone sinking
back into a life of sin after he or she has made a profession
of faith? Should we be concerned? What do the scriptures
instruct us to do?
    My brothers and sisters, if one of you should
    wander from the truth and someone should
    bring that person back, remember this: Whoever
    turns a sinner from the error of their way will
    save them from death and cover over a multitude
    of sins. (James 5:19-20)

When James says ‘wander from the truth’, apparently he is
referring to Christians. Non-Christians have not embraced
the truth, so they could not wander from it. His comment
raises a question,
    “At what point does a Christian become a backslider?”

Could it be whenever his prayer life begins to shrink? How
about whenever they attend church less frequently, or not
at all? Would any of the following reasons be an indicator?
    They give in to temptations easier?
    They have less guilt for any sins committed?
    They start justifying non-Christian actions and attitudes?
    They no longer have a thirst to learn more about God and His Word?

Another question to consider is,
    “If we are not growing in our Christian
     attitudes and habits, are we backsliding?”

Consider this – if we are not moving forward then by default we are
moving backwards. I don’t believe we can stay in one place. Either
Satan is pulling us away from God, or God is pulling us away from
Satan. In either case, there is movement.

James tells us that as Christians, we have a responsibility to
help each other with our struggles with sin (‘bring him back’).
Paul gives us the same advice.
    Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin,
    you who live by the Spirit should restore that person
    gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
    (Galatians 6:1)

James tells us that whenever we ‘turn a sinner’, we will save
them from death. Since many believe the scriptures indicate
‘once saved, always saved’, and since James is addressing
Christians, what death could he be talking about?

He could be referring to the earthly consequences of sin. God
may decide that when a believer is having a negative impact
on His ministry here on earth, it is time for Him to call that
person home to heaven.

He could also mean that when we are helping someone else
turn from sin, we may actually be witnessing to a person
who claims to be a believer, but has never invited the Lord
into their life. We could unknowingly be leading a person
to Christ, who we thought was a believer.

James says that whenever we help someone in their struggle
with sin, we ‘cover a multitude of sins’. Who is he talking
about? Is he saying we will cover a multitude of sins for
the wayward person, or for ourselves?

At any rate, we are reminded of God’s abundant grace and mercy,
shown through His forgiveness. Whenever we forgive, we usually
forgive for something specific, but we may be guilty of having an
attitude of skepticism. In other words, we anticipate a repeat of
what a person did previously.

God, however, is interested in our change of attitude. Of course we
ask Him for forgiveness of specific acts of disobedience, but when
God sees our change in attitude, He apparently forgives many of
our sins.

We need to realize that when God graciously saves us, He gives us
a new understanding and concern for others. Our life focus is no
longer just on ourselves and our own family. God gives us a new
sensitivity of those around us and their needs.

It is more than just a casual concern; it is an intense concern that
wants to help them in any way we can; it is a brotherly or sisterly
love that is willing to look past our own problems and concerns with
a desire to support and encourage others.

When God genuinely changes our hearts, we will lose our cynicism
and skepticism. When we do that, we will no longer view the problems
of others in comparison to ourselves. We are no longer influenced by
the looks, position, or personalities of others, but we look at all in
the same way – as equally important.
    But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his
    appearance or his height, for I have rejected him.
    The LORD does not look at the things people look
    at. People look at the outward appearance, but the
    LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

We no longer think that we have had (or are having) bigger problems
than theirs and we got over them (or, are in the process of trying to get
over them). We don’t think that since we got over our problems they
need to “suck it up” and get over the things they are struggling with.

Instead, we have a new sensitivity to their needs. That’s what Jesus did,
isn’t it? If we truly want to be more like Jesus , then we need to mimic
His attitudes and actions (which includes an intense concern for others).
God loves His Son and His desire is for all of His adopted children to be
like Jesus. That will never happen in us, as long as we continue living
with an attitude of selfishness.

What did Jesus do when He was having problems (challenges from
religious leaders, lawyers, threats of death, and of course Satan)?
He set aside His issues in order to minister to the needs of others.
Even at Calvary as He was nailed to the cross and dying, He still
was concerned about the two on the other crosses beside Him.

How could we be so selfish that we have little or no concern for those
God has placed in our path for us to minister to (as Jesus would)? It
requires a conscious shift of our thinking from what is natural (from
what Satan wants of us) to what is spiritual (which God expects of us).
For many of us, it is a quantum leap from an old attitude to a new one.

God’s Word reminds us of how we should be changed when we receive
His salvation.
    For we know that our old self was crucified with him
    so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,
    that we should no longer be slaves to sin (Romans 6:6)

    You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
    to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its
    deceitful desires; (Ephesians 4:22)

    Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your
    old self with its practices (Colossians 3:9)

If we have failed to leave our ‘old self’ (selfishness) behind
and embrace our ‘new self’ (selflessness), then we may have
this question:
    “Have I really received salvation from God Almighty?”

Look at these words from God in Philippians:
    Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
    Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
    not looking to your own interests but each of you
    to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

If someone asked you these questions, how would you respond?
    “How have you changed from selfishness to selflessness?”

    “Can you give me examples where you have placed
      the concerns of others above your own issues?”

    “When have you made an extra effort to encourage someone
      who is hurting, sick, worried, injured (physically or emotionally),
      or serving the Lord?”

    “Do you really have concerns for others, or are your
      concerns restricted to what you consider as ‘big things’?”

    “Do you really want to become more like Jesus and
      are you allowing God to mold you into a new person?”

    “Do you talk more about yourself than you ask questions
      of others, and listen to their response? When you listen,
      are you listening in preparation for what you will say,
      or are you genuinely listening?”

When God saves us, He doesn’t save us so we can continue as
we have always been. Instead, He saves us so that we can be
more like His Son, and so we can fulfill His purpose in us,
which includes ministering to others, as Jesus did.
    In the same way, let your light shine before others,
    that they may see your good deeds and glorify your
    Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

    In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even
    those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.
    (1 Timothy 5:25)

    Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,
    and to be generous and willing to share. (1 Timothy 6:18)

    And let us consider how we may spur one another
    on toward love and good deeds, (Hebrews 10:24)

    What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone
    claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith
    save them? (James 2:14)

    Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them
    show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility
    that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

    Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they
    accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds
    and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12)

As believers and followers of Christ, we need to think about
the good deeds we can do in order to become more like Jesus.
Our good deeds not only benefit others, but they benefit us
as well.

How? We grow closer to the Lord and receive more of His
blessings as we show concern for, pray for, encourage and
minister to others (and especially to those who belong to
Him and those who are faithfully serving Him). Growing
closer to the Lord and serving Him is what believers
really want, right?

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