Category Archives: Backsliding

Mourning Over Sin

Posted on September 16, 2021 by russellmckinney

“Ezra” series (post #16) When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Confession, God's Word, Guilt, Intercessory Prayer, Leadership, Rebellion, Repentance, Series: "Ezra", Sin, The Old Testament Law | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do You Know Jesus as Savior? Or Do You Just Know About Him?

Posted on July 5, 2021 by russellmckinney

I subscribe to a certain Christian publication that recently featured an old sermon from Oswald J. Smith. Smith was a Canadian pastor/church planter/author who is probably best known for founding The Peoples Church in Toronto and serving as the church’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Assurance of Salvation, Backsliding, Baptism, Belief, Church, Church Attendance, Church Discipline, Evangelism, Heaven, Repentance, Salvation, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Why the World Is Like It Is

Posted on June 25, 2021 by russellmckinney

Satan (Lucifer, the Devil) wasn’t the only angel who once rebelled against God. Revelation 12:3-4 uses symbolic imagery to tell us that one-third of all the angels aligned themselves with Satan during that rebellion. Those verses depict Satan as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Backsliding, Current Events, Demons, Depravity, Discernment, Disobedience, God's Work, Government, Problems, Rebellion, Salvation, Satan, Sin, Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Suffering, The Devil | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Which Direction Does Your Life Flow?

Posted on June 18, 2021 by russellmckinney

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, will inherit … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Confession, Contentment, Desires, Doing Good, Eternal Security, Grace, Guilt, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Being an Overcomer

Posted on June 2, 2021 by russellmckinney

1 John series: (post #8) With this post we launch into the list of the final five evidences of salvation that are named in 1 John. The first five evidences were: You desire fellowship with your fellow Christians. You walk … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Assurance of Salvation, Backsliding, Belief, Confession, Encouragement, Eternal Security, Faith, Grace, Ministry, Pastors, Perseverance, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Series: "1 John", Sin, The Sin Unto Death | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Satellite Chips Have to Do with Holy Conduct

Posted on April 28, 2021 by russellmckinney

…as He who has called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16, N.K.J.V.). A country doctor had a sign in his office that … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Choices, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Doing Good, God's Holiness, God's Will, Holiness, Personal, Personal Holiness, Sin, Temptation, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

So-So

Posted on March 29, 2021 by russellmckinney

In Jones county, Mississippi, there is a little town called Soso. There are different stories regarding how the town got its name. One says that an early settler of the area used to always reply, “So-so” whenever someone asked him … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Christ's Death, Complaining, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Holiness, God's Love, God's Mercy, God's Work, Grace, Ministry, Obedience, Perseverance, Priorities, Repentance, Sacrifice, Salvation, Sanctification, Service, Suffering, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Nobody to Blame!

Posted on March 17, 2021 by russellmckinney

Several years ago I cut a little article out of a Christian newspaper. I threw the article in my nightstand drawer where I keep some of the illustrations I’ve accumulated and didn’t think much more about it. Today I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Attitude, Backsliding, Character, Complaining, Confession, Conscience, Depravity, Disobedience, Guilt, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Getting Off Your Rock-O-Plane

Posted on February 8, 2021 by russellmckinney

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!’” (Luke 15:17, N.K.J.V.) Many years ago, back when I was 12 or 13 years … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Backsliding, Change, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Love, Grace, Personal, Rebellion, Repentance, Restoration, Salvation, Sin, Temptation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Does God Have Just One Plan to Bless a Person?

Posted on October 26, 2020 by russellmckinney

(“Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #4) Does God have just one plan, custom designed for each person, by which He can pour blessings into that person’s life? No, He doesn’t. If He did, most of us would never see … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Aging, Backsliding, Change, Contentment, Disappointment, Divorce, Divorce & Remarriage, Family, God's Love, God's Work, Grace, Perseverance, Problems, Prosperity, Restoration, Series: "Questions From Israel's Exodus", Service, Thankfulness, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment