Hebrews 10:37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Whatsoever may be your understanding of God, and the salvation He offers through Christ, one thing you must always bear in mind, that it is Jesus who saves us, and thus, whatever our Christian experience may turn out to be, our relationship with Him should be valued as the highest treasure.
Churches don’t save you, membership doesn’t save a single soul, and being in good and regular standing in the eyes of man does not guarantee an abundant entrance into God’s kingdom. While all of the above are good, it is our individual walk with The Lord that will make the difference in the end.
This fact should be kept prominently in view as we study some of the reasons why persons turned back from following Christ, while others determine to run the full nine yards of the Christian race.
The Christian race is never about speed, it is about endurance, hence the reason why The Bible says, he who endures to the finish line, the same person will be saved. Therefore, while persons might begin the journey huffing and puffing, we must always bear in mind that the tortoises often outlast the cheetahs.
According to the Bible, satan’s efforts to cause us to turn back, if he can, will come from unlikely sources. And thus, we shouldn’t be surprised if and when the attempts come through those who are close to us.
If it happened to Jesus, it can and will happen with the Christian, as individuals seek to move forward ever, backward never. Let’s read:
Psalms 41: 9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Matthew 10: 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endures to the end shall be saved.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
One thing every Christian must always remember is that of the two invisible agencies, which battle it out for our minds one is bent on saving to the uttermost while the other is hell bent on destroying you to the guttermost.
God goes to very great lengths to save members of the human family, He pulls out all the stops, and He does everything possible to save persons from being lost.
It is written in the Scripture that where sin abounds grace did much more abound, meaning that every effort that can possibly be made will be made, and The Lord will not leave one stone unturned in His efforts to save us. Let’s read:
Isaiah 5:1 Now will I sing to my well beloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My well beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill.
2 And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge I pray you between me and my vineyard.
4 What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
On the flipside of God’s efforts to save, you have the devil who works ingeniously, and systematically, and with energy worthy of a better cause, to get persons to turn their backs on God. He does not really care if you turn back for an apparently good reason.
Once he gets folks to turn back, that’s all he cares about. In fact, he has at the ready, a multitude of apparently good reasons why persons should turn back from following Christ, and some of these could sound quite plausible.
Some of these reasons were presented to Christ as He was being severely tempted in the wilderness. At that time, one of the arguments presented was that if Jesus was the Son of God, the Father would never leave His son to suffer from hunger and thirst as was the case with Jesus on that occasion.
It basically was the same argument he raised with the friends of Job, as through them, he sought to link Job’s plight to a sinful course, for as they said, God will never allow those afflictions on innocent Christians. Let’s read:
Job 4:1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said;
7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
In other words, Job’s friend was saying that trouble does not come upon the righteous and thus, if Job is now suffering intensely, it must be something wrong he had done and therefore, according to his warped mode of thought, it seemed to make no sense for Job to continue his walk with The Lord.
This conclusion of Eliphaz is often greatly flawed, for even though there are laws of sowing, and reaping, it is not always the case that adverse circumstances are in every situation, preceded by wrong doing.
Thus, the devil, through Eliphaz was attempting to discourage Job into turning back, for, if after being faithful for so many years you come and lose most of that which was near, and dear to you, in quick succession, that should be a valid reason for Job to throw in the towel, and turn his back on God.
That is according to the diabolical mode of thought being pushed by the invisible forces of darkness. It is funny how the same sentiment was echoed by the wife of Job, who succumbed to the doctrine of devils on this point, and so, became the mouthpiece to give audible voice to satan’s unspoken thought in his efforts to get Job to turn back. Let’s read:
Job 2: 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Thus, on the one hand, you have Christ who would stop at nothing to save any person who so desires, and on the other hand you have the devil, and his minions, who will stop at nothing to prevent folks from moving forward, and being saved in God’s kingdom.
Therefore, with these facts in mind it’ll be of critical importance that we take a good look at the warning given us in the book of Ephesians, and the counsel given, so as to run the Christian race with a steady, and even tread, without burning out along the way. Let’s read:
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
The reason why it has now become necessary for us to take a hard look at the previous passages is that in many instances, people may not be aware of the currencies in which devils deal.
And as a result, some may not recognize temptation as being temptation, as invisible foes ramp up their efforts to cause many to turn back. When the Bible makes mention of Wiles, Devices, Snares and Fiery darts, it is referencing the currencies in which devils deal.
Devils deal in slander, unjust criticism, heckling, and complaining. They also often deal in confrontations, arguments, discouragement, conspiracy, fear, panic, reveling and destruction. But these are not the only currencies they use.
They also often use apparently good currencies such as praise and flattery, whereby they seek to praise persons into doing something stupid. This particular currency is on display, and it is just a matter of time before situations will reach a critical juncture where persons will be praised into jumping off a cliff.
Hence the reason why we must, of necessity study the history of those who have gone before, so that we won’t fall for the same snares and devices which were set for the feet of God’s people in times past, which then caused many of them to turn back.
Our commitment to serve, love, and obey God must never be taken lightly, for it should make allowances for unforeseen circumstances that may come out of the blue, which might catch persons off guard, some of which you were never expecting. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 2: 11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
[1] Some persons turn back from following Jesus because of discouragement.
Back in the days of the Hebrews, some individuals turned back, on account of discouragement, when things they hoped for did not pan out the way they expected. For instance, when they did not enter the land of Canaan immediately, as they had hoped to, some ran out of steam, and many of them turned back.
Their discouragement was greatly exacerbated after the spies returned from spying the land of Canaan. As they brought back the fruits, and products of the land, and displayed them, the people gathered all around them, in eager anticipation of an immediate occupation.
And this would have indeed been the case if the ten unfaithful spies did not poop on their party, with the currency of discouragement. After they verified the goodness and productivity of the land, they turned and painted the country in very dark colors, as they described the giants they had seen.
And after they insisted that it was impossible for the land to be taken, the people went into a tailspin and satan had a heyday as he fueled the flames with the currencies of faultfinding, censure, and accusations.
In this perturbed state of mind, their faith grew dim, and the rest is history, because they then and there decided to turn back, and they did. Let’s read:
Numbers 13:27 And they told him and said we came unto the land whither thou sent us, and surely it flows with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.
28 Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and more over we saw the children of Anak there.
30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
31 But the men that went up with him said, we are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.
32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, the land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eats up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
That is the end of Numbers, chapter 13. Look at the first verse in chapter 14, for as satan churned the situation over and over in their minds, he succeeded with the currency of discouragement, intimidation, and fear and the results followed like clockwork, for they decided they had had enough, and it was time to turn back. Let’s read:
Numbers 14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
3 And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4 And they said one to another let’s make a captain and let us return into Egypt.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 389>390] Revolt and open mutiny quickly followed; for Satan had full sway, and the people seemed bereft of reason. They cursed Moses and Aaron… The unfaithful spies were loud in denunciation of Caleb and Joshua. And the cry was raised to stone them. The insane mob seized missiles with which to slay those faithful men.
[2] Some persons turn back from following Christ if they forget what Jesus has done for them in times past.
The experiences that God has given to us along the way should be held as a sacred treasure, since they form the backbone of our confirmation that there’s a God in heaven.
When Jesus has done something great for you, and when He has come through, after the arm of flesh has failed, and when He delivered you from the jaws of sickness and death, try your best not to forget.
The reason for this Scriptural advice is that when we allow the goodness God has shown us, to fade from our memory, then we can run the risk of limiting His power to deliver us in future situations.
And when a person begins to limit the power of God to do such and such, it can put a choke hold on faith and if you are not very careful doubts can cause you to turn back.
The confidence to move forward ever and backward never comes from literal experiences folks had with The Lord in times past. It was his past experiences David drew upon, why he had the confidence to go up against Goliath, while others, who forgot what God did for them in times past turned back. Let’s read:
1st Samuel 17: 23 And as he talked with them behold there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name out of the armies of the Philistines, and spoke according to the same words: and David heard them.
24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
25 And the men of Israel said, have ye seen this man that is come up?.....
34 And David said unto Saul, your servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock.
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.
It's the very same issue that arose years earlier with the giants in the land of Canaan, when, on account of their size, the people became very discouraged and turned back. And now, with a similar situation before them, they seemed to forget what God did for them back then, and this caused them to flee in terror. Let’s read:
[Testimonies 9, pp 10] We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and his teaching in our past history.
Psalms 78:40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
There is no such thing as a genuine Christian who does not have distinct experiences of deliverance or blessings from God. If you do not, then something is wrong. God bids us believe His word and we should, but it’s the living, literal experiences in our lives that confirm our faith, to make it solid as a rock.
[3] Some people turn back from following Jesus if the basic necessities of life are withdrawn for some reason.
This last example is important for us to understand, because there are basic needs that everyone has, in order to live on this planet. The human family, for the most part is concerned about food, and drink, clothing and shelter, for these make up the basic necessities of life.
Also, on account of our fallen condition, people are generally concerned about health care since disease and other infirmities and sicknesses do crop up from time to time.
If push really comes to shove, we could do without cell phones, and cars, and televisions, but our food, raiment, and shelter are generally non-negotiables. So, the question is, if these necessities are no longer available, will such a situation cause persons to turn their backs on God?
It is worthy of note that in the experience of Job the devil went after much of his food, by wiping out all of his flocks. Then he went after him on the issue of health, as he was smitten with boils, and yet, for all this, Job decided to move forward ever, backward never. Let’s read:
Job 13:15 Though he slays me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job 19: 25 For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.
Chapter six of the book of John is both interesting, and relevant to the title of the Bible study: Forward ever backward never because it makes note of the basic needs of humanity, of which we spoke earlier.
Food and drink and issues pertaining to healthcare were top of their agenda, as multitudes thronged or sought out Christ as The One who could provide for their basic needs. Let’s read:
John 6:1 After these things, Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
John 6:10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So, the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, this is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
In an age where millions of people are panicking over Snap benefits, where food banks are running low on resources, and where long lines can be seen at food distribution centers, someone who could, at His word, provide baskets full of groceries for free, is someone who will be much sought after.
Again, in and era when millions of people might lose their healthcare benefits, because of sticker shock on their premiums, someone who can heal all types of diseases, including type one and two diabetes, is Someone who will be much sought after.
Thus, as the news spread like wildfire, as the CNN’s and Fox news back then, trumpeted the breaking news, it almost triggered a stampede, for we can all understand why such a Person would be in very high demand.
And as the good news spread by word of mouth and as friends, neighbors and families who were healed, showed undeniable evidences of God’s supernatural power in their literal bodies, there was a rush for the door as it were, for no one wanted to miss out on what was the chance of a lifetime. Let’s read:
John 6: 23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
Now, we must be abundantly clear, Jesus did not have any problem with persons who were seeking Him for these things, for they are necessities of life. The problem was when they sought Him only for these things, to the point where if these necessities were removed, persons would then turn back from following Him. Let’s read:
John 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when came you hither?
26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.
From this point onward in the narrative, things took a turn for the worse for when Jesus tried to explain to the people that God’s kingdom is not primarily about food, drink, shelter and healthcare, many of them were surprised and very disappointed. Let’s read:
John 6: 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which sees the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
After making it plain to them that it was eternal life, and a deep relationship with God he was offering to establish in their hearts, it became obvious that very many of them soon lost interest in Him.
And according to the sacred record things reached a tipping point where most of them turned back from following Jesus, and their decision to turn their back on God was never afterward reversed.
However, some of them treasured their relationship with Christ more than any temporal blessings, and healing, and just as it was with Job, Caleb and David, it was forward ever, backward never. Let’s read:
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
[The Desire of Ages pp 392] They had made their choice, had taken the form without the spirit, the husk without the kernel. Their decision was never afterward reversed; for they walked no more with Jesus.
We are hard pressed to believe that John 6:66 is a mere coincidence, for it came at a time when most of those who were following Christ, turned back on account of disappointed hopes and dreams of the temporal benefits Jesus had given.
There is another 666 in the bible that now warrants our attention, for it seems as if the same issues will again test the tensile strength of our commitment to follow Jesus all the way. And, just like it was back then, the question is: Will we turn backward if and when the temporal benefits are removed, or will it be forward ever, backward never? Let’s read:
Revelation 13: 16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
To live and think in forward mode, folks will need to be rooted and grounded in Christ, meaning that our experiences must go far deeper than having a mere theory of truth. The intellectual aspects of truth are to be interwoven with our everyday experiences as we practice that which we learn at Christ’s feet.
As we determine by God’s grace to go forward ever, backward never, He will grant us experiences which will serve the purpose of causing us to grow in grace and from time to time, He will confirm promises and blessings to us in ways that cannot be gainsaid.
It is thus, through the power of The Holy Spirit who works within us to do God’s pleasure, that you will be enabled to go from strength to strength and from one victory to the next, until persons are brought to that point where they will never turn back.
This is what was declared by all the apostles, and it supercharged their testimony, as a living, breathing experience, so that when they opened their mouth to speak the gospel, folks took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Let’s read:
1st John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
That being said, it is important to cultivate certain modes of thought and perspectives that will keep us in forward motion. Persons must believe, we must exercise faith, we must obey the word of The Lord in order to keep moving forward.
As more and more light is shed on our pathway, we are to advance with its increasing glory, and every one of us must be diligent to avoid being distracted by the various currencies that devils deal in.
Discouragement, murmuring, backbiting, wavering, heckling, praise, faultfinding and unbelief must be strictly avoided, in order to keep moving forward.
As the various fiery darts are hurled at you time and time again, make it a habit to seek out the source of your strength, and God will grant grace for every emergency and every emerging threat. Let’s read:
[Testimonies Vol 4 pp 27] The clouds that gather about our way will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Unbelief says: “We could never surmount these obstructions; let us wait until they are removed, and we can see our way clearly.” But faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.
We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that will enable us to go forward ever, backward never, and if persons stay the course with Christ, you will endure to the end. Let’s read:
Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walk through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
God Bless!