Backsliders Are Restored

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Category: General | Feb 1980

Christians can become discouraged and downright pessimistic over the p05sibility of wayward children of God being restored to a life of fruitful service. They forget the bright ray of hope which the Lord Jesus provides in telling of the father's eagerness to forgive his repentant prodigal son. The words: "his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him" (Luke 15:20) reflect also the eagerness of our heavenly Father to forgive and restore His repentant ones. "There is forgiveness with Thee", cried David (Psa.l30:4)."... return unto the Lo~, and He will have mercy... and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon", said Isaiah (55:7). "Her sins which are many are forgiven", declared the Lord Jesus (Luke 7:47). "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness", proclaimed John (1 John 1:9). What clearer evidence do we need than these remarkable scriptural assurances to confirm God's willingness to forgive and restore?

Proof that backsliders can be restored was vividly portrayed at the bedside of a dying Christian. His father was a godly man who had served his generation well; the son was a baptized disciple but he left the Fellowship of God's Son after a gradual drift away from spiritual things through family tragedy and discouragement. "The seat in the assembly circle is empty long before the person leaves" is a cryptic, yet true statement, and it was so in this man's case. When he left God's people the drift away from the Lord was most perceptible. He was in Christ, but he was not enjoying the abiding life of fruitfulness. His occupation was the dangerous one of a firefighter, but it did not seem to occur to him that each day he was but a step away from death; that there was the daily risk of being ushered into the divine presence with so many things unreconciled with His Master. It was that insidious enemy cancer which proved to be the blessing in disguise. Doctors and nurses could not help any more and they sent him home to die. That was when the message came and we paid our memorable visit. He was happy to be reminded of the love of the Lord Jesus, to be assured that failure and folly could be forgiven. He asked us to read to him from his father's Bible. It was a well worn, well read, well marked book; a cherished heritage. We prayed together, and we returned the following night at his request. That proved to be the last occasion, for he later lapsed into a coma and passed away. Another wanderer had come home confessing: "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in Thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called Thy son" (Luke 15:21). He had known forgiveness and acceptance. It was a joy to give such a testimony at his funeral.

What shall we say of Peter, the tempted, failing disciple who betrayed his Lord? Tears of repentance led to a mighty restoration. God used him to bring thousands to the Lord on the day of Pentecost. "And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren" (Luke 22:32 AV); Peter fulfilled this desire of his Lord in a very practical way. In contrast Paul lamented over Demas who "forsook me, having loved this present world" (2 Tim. 4:10). The end of Demas' life is hidden from us, but we can only think of it with sadness. There are many known to us who have drifted away from the Lord and His things. Are we praying for them? assuring them of our prayers? sending them a booklet or a little message from the Lord? seeking their restoration in the spirit of the eagerness of our forgiving God? This is a service for God which needs wisdom, compassion; but it is an important work for there is a life at stake, a life that is being wasted. A good start is to tell the wayward ones that we are praying for their restoration; let us tell them also of God's cry to the Israelite who had shamefully left the Lord for a life of sin. "Wilt thou not from this time cry unto Me, My Father, Thou art the guide of my youth?" (Jeremiah 3:4). It is almost as though God is teaching the backslider, the Israelite idol worshipper, how to pray, by putting into his mouth these wonderful words of pleading and restoration, "My Father, Thou art the guide of my youth". This might well be the acknowledgement of all our hearts.

Dr Robert Morrison, medical missionary to China, was a living testimony to a Christian mother's ceaseless prayers for her two wayward sons. While she remained in Scotland one son went to the USA, became a heavy drinker of alcohol, and a mocker of Christians. He would wait for the congregation to leave an evangelical church in Chicago and would taunt them with his offers of alcohol. He was considered a hopeless case. But the mother's prayers, and the Spirit's pleading, brought him under the conviction of sin. One night he was awakened out of 'sleep, and as a trembling sinner he came to Christ. He became one of God's good men, and subsequently returned home to convey to his mother the good news of her answered prayers for him. Overjoyed, Mrs Morrison invited her son to join with her in continued prayer for the son Robert, also a wayward lad. Unknown to the praying couple Robert was brought under conviction on the deck of a ship in the China Sea. God caused him to review his mother's Christian influence on him as a boy and her continual prayers for his salvation. The Holy Spirit brought him to a realization of his need of Christ and he was born again. Returning to Scotland, he gave himself to the study of the Scriptures and medicine, and he dedicated his life to China as a medical missionary. "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Gen. 18:14).

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Feb 1980
General