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I know I was Saved,
But right now,
I am Backslidden

Table of Contents
* 1. Turn from Backslidding
* 2. Be Chastised

There remains only 2 Options ...
 1  Turn from Backslidding

Once you are saved, ALL sin is forgiven.
* All in the Past  
* All in the Future
Heaven is Certain and Secure, but  …
Present Communication with God is Broken.

“If I regard iniquity (sin) in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” 
Book of Psalms - Chapter 66 - Verse 18

He will not ...
* Answer Prayer
* Give Comfort from Heartache
* Give Protection from Evil
For these reasons and others, those experiencing backslidding think they are lost again.

God will only hear Repentance :
* Real Confession
* Genuine Sorrow
* True Turning from sin and its consequences.

“If we confess (acknowledge, feel sorrow, turn from) our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness (backslidding).” 
Book of 1st John - Chapter 1 - Verse 9
Of course, when we "confession our sins" here we are not saved again, but to become Repentant.

Do you want to Repent right now?
If you do ... confess your sin, turn away from it with genuine sorrow and decide to walk with God's people and do God's will.  Repentance is not a return to ...
* Church
* The Bible
* Fellowship with Christians
Although these most certainly occur after Repentance.
Repentance is a return to Jesus Christ.  The Victorious Life started with Him and it will continue with Him throughout all of eternity.

Some may say ...
I have not had enough of my sin
* It has not yet drug me down far enough
* It has not yet turned me from church
* It has not yet completely ruined my relationship with my spouse
* It has not yet entirely destroyed my children, grandchildren
* It has not yet totally ruined my health
* It has not yet stole my job and career
* It has not yet been seen by my friends, family, acquaintances
* It has not yet completely made a fool of me before all the angels and God Himself
* It has not yet been seen by me as a bad enough offense to God, my Saviour

If you do not want to Repent, see  2  Be Chastised below.

TOP

 2  Be Chastised

Determined
If you persist in your Backsliding, God will NOT take away your Salvation.  But, God will Chastise (Correct) you.

“If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons (children)” 
Book of Hebrews - Chapter 12 - Verse 7

“For whom the Lord loveth (His children) he chasteneth (corrects), and scourges every son whom he receiveth (saved).” 
Book of Hebrews - Chapter 12 - Verse 6

Tough Love
God corrects and scourges (severely sets right) His children (the saved) who stray (unrepentant), just like a natural father would.  Why?  Because God loves His children and wants them to spiritually mature.

Still Unrepentant?
To remain Backslidden is to invite more severe correction until God has proven that you will never return to the straight and narrow.  At that point ...
* He will withdraw His protection
* He will allow you to die and go on to Heaven.
(not every death is because of backslidding)

"... There is a sin unto death ..." 
Book of 1 John - Chapter 5 - Verse16

Still Saved
Even at this point, you will not have lost your salvation.  Chastisement is only for His children.  You will always be a child of God, a "son".

What should be done?  Go back to  1.  Turn from Backslidding

Some will say ...
I am not going to worry.  God never chastises me.  He must think I am not backslidding.  I am OK.  I am good enough.

“But if ye be without chastisement (correction), whereof all (saved) are partakers, then are ye … not sons.” 
Hebrews - Chapter 12 - Verse 8

If God seems to allow you to continue Backsliding, without correction, then you are probably not saved. 
* He only corrects His true children. 
* All others should be Saved.

The Proof of having been saved is ...
The changed heart

Hardship is not a sign of being Saved.
* Chastisement is for the Saved  It comes from God's love for His children.
* Tough-Times are for the lost.  It comes from God's love for those He wishes to be His children.  He wants them to be saved.

God does everything He can to get us saved, then He does everything He can, not to keep us saved (salvation is sealed), but to bring us to Spiritual Maturity.

What is the Difference?
All the saved have a changed heart and know they can only be chastised.
All the lost can not differentiate between Chastisement and Tough-Times.  This is why there is so much speculation about this topic.