1488. The Attitude of Christ Toward the Backslider

The Attitude of Christ Toward the Backslider

"Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee" (Luk_22:31-32).

We have placed Peter and his backsliding last of all. We do not know that we should have done this, although in a sense, backsliding is the climax of sinning. Surely it is an evil thing and bitter, when one forsakes the Lord their God.

Peter was not only a disciple, favored with closest contact with the Lord, but he was a man who had made large boasts concerning his own integrity.

Peter, however, soon learned the frailty of the flesh. Let us notice briefly some of the steps of Peter's fall.

1. He was self-confident. He said, "Although all shall be offended, yet will not I." In this statement Peter seemed to say to the Lord, "You will do well to watch James and John, Simon Zelotes and Bartholomew, Judas and Thaddeus, but, Lord, I am all right."

It is well for us to remember the words: "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

2. He forgot to watch and pray. When they went into the Garden, Christ told Peter, James and John "watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Peter was tired, borne down with his grief, and before he knew what he was doing, his weary eyes were closed. Peter slept, and sleeping he could not watch. Thus he deserted the Lord in the hour of His greatest need. While Jesus was praying and sweating as it were great drops of blood, Peter was sleeping.

3. He cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. This was seemingly an effort on Peter's part to make up for his failure in sleeping. The Lord rebuked Peter and told him to put up his sword.

4. He followed afar off. Peter went up the miff tree; his feelings were wounded; he would not utterly desert his Lord, but he pouted and followed from afar.

5. He warmed at the enemy's fire. Peter did not go in with Christ, but stayed in the room across the way and warmed himself.

6. He cursed and swore. He said, "I know not the Man" (Mat_26:72, A. S. V.). He said it with an oath; he said it to a maid.

We have briefly outlined in Peter's fall, the usual course of a backslider. Oh, how bitter, how disappointing it is to see a man who promised allegiance, proving no more than a deserter!

Is not the church to-day filled with men who have left their Lord? They promised all fidelity; they were baptized, setting forth the death of their old man, and their resurrection to newness of life, but they have gone back with a great backsliding. What a sin is this!

What then is the attitude of Christ toward His deserters? When a man deserts his wife, the law considers him criminal. When the soldier deserts his army, he is court-martialed and shot.

What is the attitude of Christ?

Let us follow once more the case of Peter.

1. "I have prayed for thee." Christ told Peter that satan had desired to sift him as wheat, but that He had prayed for him.

2. "The Lord turned, and looked upon Peter." When Peter swore and thrice denied his Lord, the Lord Jesus looked upon him with inexpressible love and tenderest compassion; the result was that Peter went out and wept bitterly.

3. "Go your way, tell His disciples and Peter." Peter was not left out when the Lord sent word for His disciples to meet Him in Galilee.

4. "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these?" When Christ met the disciples by the sea, He opened His heart and received Peter back into the place of loving confidence.

5. "Feed My lambs, * * Feed My sheep." The Lord restores to Peter his work as one of the Twelve, and a noble work that proved to be.

Of one thing we may assure ourselves, be it ever so wicked for a Christian to backslide and to deny his Lord, our God is full of compassion and is ready to forgive. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR