Category Archives: Backsliding

Does Moral Failure Disqualify a Person From God’s Service?

Posted on October 23, 2020 by russellmckinney

(“Questions From Israel’s Exodus” series: post #3) After Moses became the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he spent the first forty years of his life riding high. Acts 7:22 says: “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Deacons, God's Work, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Sin | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bronze Shields in Place of Gold Shields

Posted on September 21, 2020 by russellmckinney

The reign of King Solomon’s son Rehoboam was fairly doomed from the start. On the one hand, many in Israel had grown weary not only of Solomon’s system of taxation (1 Kings 4:7) but also the labor force Solomon required … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Church, Decisions, Discernment, Disobedience, Eternal Security, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Separation, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Leaders & Preachers’ Kids (post #2 of 2)

Posted on September 5, 2020 by russellmckinney

People tend to think that being called of God to spiritual leadership somehow causes the called to put on a magic cloak that miraculously changes everything about the person. The cloak corrects wrong thinking, fixes longstanding problems, strengthens weaknesses, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Anger, Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Deacons, Depravity, Family, Forgiveness, God's Work, Hypocrisy, Leadership, Lust, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Preaching, Sanctification, Service, Sin, Temptation, The Death Penalty, The Old Testament Law | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Leaders & Preachers’ Kids (post #1 of 2)

Posted on September 2, 2020 by russellmckinney

Maybe you’ve heard about the recent troubles of Jerry Falwell Jr. After a string of scandals, he has now been ousted as the President of Liberty University, the school his father founded. The whole story has given Christianity yet another … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Backsliding, Character, Church, Church Attendance, Current Events, Depravity, God's Work, Husbands, Hypocrisy, Lust, Marriage, Ministry, Pastors, Personal Holiness, Politics, Preaching, Service, Sex, Sin, Temptation, Wives | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Was Solomon Saved?

Posted on August 24, 2020 by russellmckinney

One of my church members recently asked me about King Solomon’s salvation (or lack of it). The question was a fair one because there is some honest debate as to the answer. While no individual from the Old Testament era … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Eternal Security, Polygamy, Salvation | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Mask of the Hypocrite

Posted on July 20, 2020 by russellmckinney

Popular pastor and author Chuck Swindoll tells the story of how his sister once bought him a gag gift for his birthday. The gift was a full-face rubber mask, the kind that you pull down over your entire head. She … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Character, Confession, God's Omniscience, Hypocrisy, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Sin, Truth | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Prepare to Meet Your God

Posted on July 13, 2020 by russellmckinney

…Prepare to meet your God, O Israel! (Amos 4:12, N.K.J.V.) Is there someone whom you’d just as soon never see again? Perhaps it’s someone from your past, maybe an ex-boyfriend or an ex-girlfriend. Perhaps it’s someone from your present, maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Coming Judgment, God's Chastening, God's Holiness, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, Prophecy, Rebellion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Digging a Hole Is Better Than Building an Altar

Posted on May 13, 2020 by russellmckinney

Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city. And he bought the parcel of land, where he had … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Idolatry, Repentance, Sin, Worship | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

When God Changes His Mind

Posted on April 6, 2020 by russellmckinney

“Jonah” series (post #4) Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. (Jonah 3:10, N.K.J.V.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Coming Judgment, Confession, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Love, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, God's Mercy, Repentance, Series: "Jonah", Sin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment