Vol. 5, No. 8 March 19, 2006

Cut Off From The Rest!!

Written by Christopher Mentzer

A couple weeks ago I injured my foot at work and wore a brace on it while it heeled. As I think back on that day, it wasn’t necessarily the injury or the pain that followed that really bothered me. It was the fact that I was outside, behind the building, by myself. And not just by myself, but that no on inside the building really knew I was out there! I had cut myself off from the rest of the “human race” so to speak. If the injury been worse; a broken foot or even head trauma, how long before someone would have found me? Sure I was near the back door, but it was locked and no one was in receiving on a regular basis. If I had broken my foot I could have hobbled over but if I was knocked unconscious…

When a Christian sins, they cut themselves off from God. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isa. 59: 2) Stephen made a similar accusation to the Pharisees concerning the Old Law, “51. Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers; 53. ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.” (Acts 7: 51-53)

Many backsliding Christians don’t realize the consequences of separating themselves from the rest. Not just in their life, but also in the lives of their families, their friends and the whole congregation. Family and friends who aren’t Christians will see this one who has left the Lord and simply conclude that it’s not worth it. They might say something like, “What’s the point of becoming a Christian if I can fall from grace?” New Christians in the same congregation may become concerned for their own salvation or they may bow out as well just to avoid the hard road ahead.

The scriptures never said that maintaining your salvation would be easy. In Matt. 7: 13-14 Jesus said, “Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.” The word ‘straitened’ in verse 14 means difficult. The way to everlasting life is narrow and difficult because those who really want to go to heaven will make the attempt. The path to destruction is broad and wide for it takes very little effort to be condemned.

This then is where forgiveness and repentance come into the picture. If you ask God to forgive you and then repent, that is, not do those sins anymore then you will be right with the Father and can continue on the narrow path toward everlasting life. This is the problem Simon the Sorcerer had. He attempted to buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money. Here’s what happened next: “But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. 21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God. 22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. 23. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. 24. And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.” (Acts 8: 21-24) In addition to repenting of his sins, Simon also asked Peter to pray on behalf of him. This is where the “Buddy System” comes in. You’re never alone if you’ll come back to the Lord.

I learned my lesson and from now on, I will make sure someone knows where I am if I should go outside to work.

Do not cut yourself off from the rest! But if you have, come back quickly to the Lord!