For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life ~ John 3:16. Some people think that we are loved by God because of His Son, that would mean that God did not love us prior to Jesus. But, when you read John 3:16, you discover otherwise. He loved us even before and because of that sent His Son to Redeem us from the darkness of this fallen world.
Paul described 'backsliding' in Romans 7:15-19, "For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do"; and, we read about backsliding in Galatians. "For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to one another, so that you do not do what you want" ~ Galatians 5:17.
From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness ~ 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
"They prove the truth of this proverb: "A dog returns to its vomit." And another says, "A washed pig returns to the mud."~ 2 Peter2:22. Is that judgement? Not at all...isn't it better that those in Christ intervene with forgiveness and instruction those that backslide so that they leave their sin once and for all, leading them from darkness. In other words, we should point to scripture so that we/they realize what is wrong in our lives. Scripture corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
In 2 Peter 2:22, we understand that the dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire; which expresses the filthy nature of sin, signified by vomit, mire, and dirt, than which nothing is more abominable and defiling; and also the just characters of these apostates, who are filly compared to dogs and swine and likewise their irreclaimable and irrecoverable state and condition, it being impossible they should be otherwise, unless their natures were changed and altered ~ Gill's Exposition.
As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Seeing that these such people increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the mist of darkness should be their portion in the next. When men are entangled, they are easily overcome; therefore Christians should keep close to the word of God, and watch against all who seek to bewilder them.
A state of apostasy is worse than a state of ignorance. To bring an evil report upon the good way of God, and a false charge against the way of truth, must expose to the heaviest condemnation. How dreadful is the state here described! Yet though such a case is deplorable, it is not utterly hopeless; the leper may be made clean, and even the dead may be raised. Is thy backsliding a grief to thee? Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved ~ Matthew Henry Commentary.
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