LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA

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54 HOLINESS VERSUS BACKSLIDING

TEXT: If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2 Peter 2:20 –21.

Immobility is inconsistent with our being, mentally, physically or spiritually. We either advance or retrograde: increase or decrease; especially is this true of our spiritual life; there is no standing still. The sin of omission terminates in sins of commission. The way to keep from backsliding is to persistently and obediently press forward. To rest in a past experience is perilous and soon leaves the soul destitute of saving grace. “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” Some lessons from the text are: (1) There is an escape from the pollutions of the world. (2) The way of escape. (3) That holiness is imperative. (4) That holiness is a second experience. (5) The latter end of a backslider worse than the beginning.

I. AN ESCAPE

There is a way out of sin and the pollutions of the world. Thank God! Sin pollutes, corrupts and degrades everything contaminated thereby. Oh, the filthiness of sin! A sin polluted heart means polluted thoughts, polluted words, polluted life. Hence David said, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay.”

II. THE WAY OF ESCAPE

“Escaped . . . through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” An experimental knowledge of salvation can only come to the soul that has forsaken all sin and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” His name is called “Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins;” “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God.” “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

III. HOLINESS IMPERATIVE

Holiness is the Bible standard. Holiness is freedom from sin. There is nothing mysterious about this subject. If a man is done with sin he wants holiness; when a man does not want holiness it is evident he wants sin; there is nothing else to want. God commands, “Be ye holy.” It is not optional but imperative. To disobey is sin. No person can disobey His word and retain His favor. “Follow peace with all men and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

IV. A SECOND EXPERIENCE

It was those who “have escaped the pollution of the world,” and “have known the way of righteousness,” “after they have known it,” “turn from the holy commandment.” What is “the holy commandment?” Undoubtedly the commandment to be holy. Thus we see that the commandment to be holy is to those who have already “escaped” and know “the way of righteousness.” Hence we see that backsliding is the result of “turning from” the commandment to be holy.

V. WORSE THAN BEGINNING

This is so because increased light brings increased responsibility, and increased condemnation. It is “worse” because it destroys confidence in one’s self and in religion in general. Such an one is apt to say, “I have tried it once, and can’t hold out.” It is “worse” because of the destructive influence it has on others and thus augments guilt. It is “worse” because of the torment and tortures memory will inflict in hell, when it shall be said, “Son, remember.”