There is Hope for the Backslider

The View From Above: Thoughts to Help With Everyday Life

September 1, 2026

Pastor Paul Stephens

There Is Hope for the Backslider

‘I’m a backslidden Christian’ is what he said, having been arrested after being pulled over by an El Paso County Sheriff, who happened to be my grandson, Marcus.

I thought, wow!…you really can’t run from God. He knows every move you make, every place you try to run and hide.

This individual had served the Lord in one of our churches in Phoenix for eleven years with his wife and children. Then, bad decisions, backsliding, and the ensuing chaos that comes.

It was just another routine pullover…searched the vehicle, found drugs, and now they’re on their way to the jail.

Marcus was able to remind him how much God loves him and that there is hope for his life. My grandson was able to ‘un-arrest’ him, take him home with the promise that he would come to church.

I don’t know what the outcome of this God-ordained interaction will be…but, I do know God’s grace, love, and mercy that is available to all…even those who sin and backslide after having experienced salvation.

Jeremiah 3:14

“Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”

You can run, try to escape…but there is no escaping from God’s love for you.

God wants you home no matter what you have done.

If you repent, you will be restored, but that’s the rub, isn’t it? You were saved, born-again, now you’re not because of choices you have made.

Don’t ever forget, you can change the course of your life, re-dedicate yourself to Jesus, repent, and start all over again.

For the backslider, there is hope of restoration.

Do you know any backsliders? Pray for them…do you have prodigal sons or daughters, mothers or fathers, brothers or sisters…Don’t ever lose hope for them no matter how long it’s been.

God’s attention is on what He has lost through sin and backsliding. He desperately wants them to come home.

The story of the Prodigal Son is a case in point. He left his father, took his inheritance, and squandered it all on riotous living…then when the money ran out and all his friends abandoned him…he’s left alone and he has an epiphany, a revelation…a life-changing moment where he makes the decision to go home to his father:

Luke 15:14, 17–20

“But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want…and 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! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”

It’s a story with a happy ending and a brand-new beginning…He turns from his backslidden condition and re-enters his father’s house. His father rejoices and celebrates his homecoming, and so too will our Heavenly Father with every backslider who returns home.

Make this a feature of your prayer life…every day focus on at least one or maybe even several backsliders you know…continue faithfully praying for your own prodigal sons and daughters to come home, no matter how long it’s been.

Don’t ever give up hope and remain encouraged.

The interaction with the above individual and my grandson reminds us all…Our God never sleeps, is never unaware…His love and attention are on every backslider who has drifted away.

He works in the circumstances of their lives in a timely fashion in an effort to bring them home.