Hosea 4:16a For Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer:

In the military a fallback position is determined in case the attack goes bad. The fallback position is one that means security, defensible, supported.

Backslider is one of those negative terms used in Christianity to identify a person who has returned to sin. We do not want to be a backslider, we definitely don’t want to be called a backslider. The treatment of backsliders in the Old Testament is harsh. All you have to do is read Hosea 4:17 to feel a real sense of insecurity, vulnerability, aloneness.

How are we to avoid backsliding? Emotionally I can only see the need for establishing new safe ground, a fallback position of security which doesn’t involve sin. Trust in the Lord. Sounds good, sounds right, but emotionally like all things human, trust is built over time. Not because God has changed, but because we have changed. Being this new creation in Christ is exactly that, new. With all things new they need to be explored to see them for what they are and how they work. That takes time and effort on our part. We cannot blindly say “I have faith.”

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Substance and evidence need to be examined and understood in order for faith to be trusted. That takes time and effort on our part. It establishes newer and better safe ground, a new fallback position that doesn’t involve sin. Hidden in Christ.

Blind Faith was a band in the 70’s and has nothing to do with faith.

John 14:9b he that hath seen me hath seen the Father

I don’t look like my father. I look like my Uncle Lytle. People that know him but not me can tell I am related to him. He is my mother’s brother.

I have been pondering the issue of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. I honestly do not expect the lost to see Jesus in me. They have no idea what Jesus looks like to begin with. How could they know?

Consider all the negative things we have heard about Christians from the enemies of Christ. Is that what they look for in us? That isn’t us either, so they are left confused, not knowing what to think. I here concerns about not presenting a bad image. It is like walking on broken glass. Watch your step! What are we to do?

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Renew your mind. It begins with a God centered attitude. It is followed closely behind by a you first attitude. That alone will set you apart from most of the world. Show peace and joy, be positive, avoid negative talk. It won’t take long before people around you will see you as pleasantly different and will be curious as to why. You are still you, just not the person that existed before Christ. We are not Christ and never will be. We are more loving, kind, selfless, humble and helpful than we were before Christ. Your witness isn’t who you are, it is who changed you.

I’m not THAT GUY any longer! Thank God!!