Dear Readers,
If you are a member of any Baptist church, you have heard the term "backslider" over and over again. As I was reading in my devotions, I was impressed with the perfect example of one. It never ceases to amaze me how I can begin my devotions and find something completely new every time I read. Every time I need to change something in my life, God seems to show it to me through whatever I'm reading. This is what God gave me, and I would like to in turn pass it on to you. I found my example of a "backslider" in the book of Jonah.
In Jonah 1:3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. In this verse, Jonah displays the first characteristic which we should find quite disturbing. God has a job for Jonah but Jonah does not want to perform it. I'm not completely familiar with the attitude that Jews might have had toward these people, but from my point of view this is a simple task. We find the second characteristic is this same verse. Jonah is attempting to flee from God's presence. Jonah is trying to run from God. While those who are right with God realize and appreciate that this is impossible, those who aren't right, still attempt this action.
Jonah 1:6 says, So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not. Here we find the third characteristic of a backslider. This example is found in the New Testament as well. While others in our church are praying and working for Christ we are sleeping. Are you willing to get up and go on Saturday visitation with your church? Are you at church for every service? Are you doing something for God? If not, you exemplify this characteristic of a backslider.
Jonah 1:8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil [is] upon us; What [is] thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what [is] thy country? and of what people [art] thou? The lost people of this boat don't recognize any difference between themselves and Jonah. They have to ask him what people and occupation he is. If people in our school and workplaces can't recognize that we are not of them without us wearing a WWJD T-shirt we are backsliding on God.
Jonah 1:12 says And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest [is] upon you. Here we find the fifth characteristic of a backslider. Jonah is willing to die just to keep from doing what God wants. Today, many might not be willing to die, but are willing to pay any price to keep from doing what God wants. We need to examine ourselves and see just what we are willing to sacrifice to avoid God.
In verse 14 the men of the boat call unto the Lord, then in verse 16 they offer sacrifices unto God. It seems that these men fear the one true GOD more than Jonah does at this point. That is a definite problem! With all of these negative characteristics of a backslider, I do have one positive one left for you to dwell on today. Move in your Bibles to Jonah chapter 3. Here we find that JONAH DID WHAT GOD WANTED ANYWAY! It doesn't matter how much we resist, how far we go, or what we sacrifice. God will still have his way. When we stop and think about it. It's just not worth being a backslider of an Almighty God.
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