The Needful Caution
Back to The Precepts of Jesus
"But he who shall endure unto the end — the same shall be saved." Mark 13:13.
There was great need for the Saviour to caution His followers against the sin of backsliding, inasmuch as many who had once identified themselves with His cause, went back, and walked with Him no more. In the times of the apostles also, the same danger existed, as appears from Paul's exhortation to the Hebrews — "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God," and a similar warning is greatly applicable in the present day.
That there is something peculiarly heinous in such conduct is evident from the following considerations: In the first place, it is a sin expressive of the most extreme folly. This feature belongs to every sin, and therefore wicked men are frequently represented as fools; but this is especially the case with the sin of backsliding. What would be thought of people in a time of drought — if they moved their tents from a full fountain which was close at hand, with the expectation of getting a larger supply by settling in a dry desert, where, with the greatest labour, they had to hew out for themselves cisterns — yes, broken cisterns, which could hold no water? Now, this is what we do when wedepart from God; and hence both heaven and earth are called upon to wonder at such detestable folly — the folly of leaving Him who is the source of all felicity — and of engaging in the useless toil!
In the next place, it is a sin committed without any provocation whatever, there being nothing in the Blessed God to deserve such treatment from us. Has He ever been a hard or austere Master? Has His conduct on any occasion evinced an unfeeling and unforbearing spirit? Have we found any iniquity in Him, that we should forsake Him? "O My people, what have I done to you — or how have I wearied you? Testify against Me!" Alas! what can we testify? All we can say is, "O Lord, righteousness belongs unto you — but unto us confusion of face, as it is this day."
Again, it is a sin that involves the greatest ingratitude. Not merely has He done nothing against us — but how much has He done for us! He led His people of old through the wilderness, and brought them to a plentiful land, to eat of the fruit thereof, and the goodness thereof; and yet, notwithstanding all His mercies, their hearts were fully set upon backsliding from Him. And how often has it been with us — as it was with them!
Finally, what solemn engagements are violated by this sin! To bind ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant, to declare publicly that we would be His entirely and forever — and then to break our vows, and prove faithless in the face of our most express and deliberate promises!
Reader, dread the most distant thought of putting your hand to the plough — and then turning back. Having entered the army of Christ, resolve, in the strength of His grace, never to become a deserter — but to fight His battles at all hazards, and to stand your ground until you become either a corpse — or a conqueror!
Back to The Precepts of Jesus