BACKSLIDE? Slide Back Into Grace

“Backsliding” was a big buzzword in church when I grew up.

As a Sunday School girl trying to find my way through the world outside the church doors, it seemed impossible to move forward in my faith.

Everywhere I looked, there were temptations and obstacles to keep me from being a “good Christian.”

I tried my best, but eventually, I’d cave and have to make my way back down to the altar to be saved again.

After years of backsliding, I decided I was a “failed Christian” and stopped returning. I just couldn’t go back anymore.

Maybe you feel that way some days, too.

Your friends are going on mission trips, sharing the Good News in checkout lines, and openly living for Jesus unashamed. But you? You’re wrestling with a sin you can’t shake, or a bad habit that’s clouding your good judgment.

So, you keep quiet and live small until you feel ready to return to the altar and try again.

And again.

And again.

But knowing better and not being able to do better is a frustrating place to be.

What if it’s not supposed to be this hard?

What if returning is exactly what you’re supposed to do — and the altar is exactly where you’re supposed to be?

One day, I found a definition that set me free from shame:

RETURN — to give back to the original owner.

We are designed to be intertwined with the Lord. We CANNOT do this Christian life without Him.

Earthly parents raise their children to be independent and live on their own. But our Heavenly Father doesn’t raise us up to leave Him. He raises us up to dwell in His House forever.

We return to Him by His design.

As we seek to be more like Jesus, we return for more: more strength, more grace, more peace, more of Him.

Jesus never says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you an ‘F’.”

We may fail, but Jesus never does. He waits for us with open arms, ready to give us ALL we need to grow in faith and be a witness for Him in this crazy world.

“Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you REST.” (Matt 11:28)

Returning to Jesus isn’t failure, it’s faithfulness.

So whatever you’re struggling with today, come to Jesus as many times as it takes.

Pour out your heart, turn from your sin again and again, and turn toward Him.

The more you re-turn and behold Him, the less that sin holds you.

Don’t worry. Jesus holds your salvation securely in His hands.

Jesus loves you, and wants you close. 

If you feel Him calling you back, slide back into His arms.

Let Him carry you all the way Home.