Turning From God

II Timothy 4

10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

No one ever said living the Christian life would ever be easy. It can be extremely difficult for many Christians. When a person get's saved, they are usually relieved and grateful that they are not going to burn in hell. They often fail to consider that their life here on earth just got a whole lot more complicated. Life is hard enough trying to navigate this world that seems out to get you. It is even more so for a Christian. You now have a devil that hates you and a God that expects you to conform to the image if Jesus Christ. There is pressure in the Christian life to say the least. The pull of this world can be very tempting for all people. For some Christians it can be to much and they go running after it. In this article we will discuss the ramifications for such actions.

The devil cannot keep someone from heaven once they accept Jesus Christ as their savior, he can however keep a person from having a personal relationship with God. There is a constant chess match between God and Satan for your life here on earth. The devil wants nothing more than to destroy you and God wants to bless you and grow you. God's highest ambition for your life is to make you as much like Jesus Christ, as humanly possible. The devil on the other hand wants to seduce you with this world so he can ruin your life or even kill you. Nothing would make the devil happier than to destroy your life and ruin your relationship with God. In doing so, he hurts both you and God. This is a win win for the old devil. The devil is very subtle, he will make you think there is this incredible world you are missing out on, full of fun, excitement, and pleasure. He will do whatever he can to get you to desire the things of this world. He knows everyone's weaknesses and there is something out there for everyone. He will seduce you with promises of a life that you dreamed of. He will paint a pretty picture in your mind of all that you can have. It does not matter if you are newly saved or have been living for the Lord for years, he can set a trap and snare anybody. That is, if they let their guard down. I am not talking about committing a sin, any Christian is capable of that, I am talking about chasing after this world and forgetting about God. This is the exact opposite of what a Christian should do.

In my own life, I have turned from the Lord 3 times. The first time was when I was newly saved. I did this out of ignorance partly. I think along the way, I probably embraced modernism and thought that God just wanted me to be happy. I mean all I had to do to get saved was believe so, why wouldn't he let me do whatever I want. I didn't think much about my salvation in the months after I got saved. I tried to lead a few family members to Christ, but that fire fizzled out. I went on with business as usual, living without God. I stayed that way for over 15 years. At about the 5th year my life fell apart and I spent the next 10 years in a complete mess that I could not get out of. This was God's chastening for my bad behavior. He was trying to get my attention. Looking back, I had so many opportunities to go back to God, that I wish I had took. I kept getting into deeper and deeper trouble as the years wore on. Then around 2011 I decided to read the entire Bible. This sparked a revival within me and I turned back to God. Every morning I would watch Through the Bible with Les Feldick, like I did when I first got saved. I started cleaning up my life and developed more of a zeal for God. I wasn't perfect, but I was on the right track. This sadly only lasted about a year, before I once again turned my back on God. My life was still a nightmare. That is probably why I walked away from God, he wouldn't help me. He would not do what I wanted him too. I got even more wrapped up in the world. This time around I got even deeper into sin. I finally became fed up with my life and in 2016 I again turned back to God. This time, my life was in a real mess and I needed help. God came through and I became more dedicated than I had ever been. God started to become the center of my life. I was reading my bible daily, praying, and watching preaching on YouTube. My life however was not improving, I had same affliction since the chastening began. I think this lead to a lot of frustration and I eventually gave up and turned my back on God yet again. My life was a total disaster. By early 2018 I had bought a pistol and made plans to kill myself. I wanted to do this since 1999, it was finally going to be over. When I went to kill myself, I chickened out and hated God so much. I decided moving to a far off country would be the answer. In September 2018 I moved to Thailand. It was not the answer. I was living deep in sin. By early 2020 I had again made plans to kill myself. I was scared I would go to hell if I committed suicide, so I started researching online. I rediscovered salvation by faith alone and that nothing could separate me from God and eternal life in heaven. I decided to postpone my suicide plans. I started looking more and more at Christian content and began praying. In August of 2020, I decided to commit my life to the Lord. I did my best to give up all my major sins, and I have been serving God ever since. This time is different, I am fully aware of what will happen if I turn from God again. There is nothing out there for me. I have fallen on my face so many times, that I know better now. I am trying everyday to have a relationship with God. It has not been easy, you don't keep slamming the door on God, then expecting everything to go smoothly after that. God has become the center of my world and I faithfully serve him.

Do not think that turning from God will yield positive results. Sure you may be able to run with the dogs for a little while, but eventually you will go down. I said it before, this world paints a pretty picture, but there is a wicked Devil behind it. Do not let devil fool you, he will destroy you the first chance he gets. His weapons are many. Turn to Christ with all your heart and serve him, you will never regret it.

I Peter 5

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

I hope you enjoyed this article. If you are not a Christian, I invite you to get saved now. Tomorrow may be to late. To get saved all you have to do, is admit that you are a sinner and that Jesus Christ died for your sins. The only way to take away sins is with the pure shed blood of Jesus Christ. Good works can not take away sins. If they could, then Jesus Christ died in vain. Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead as payment for all sins. Once you believe that, you are saved forever. You did nothing to earn it and you can do nothing to lose it.

Titus 3

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Revelation 1

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Romans 5

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Ephesians 2

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.