I think it is important to make a distinction here.
When I say backslidden I mean that you have been actually saved: that God has given you a new heart, but you are not living the Christian life as the scripture calls us to. There is a difference between backslidden and not saved. Just because you have prayed the sinner’s prayer, been down the Romans Road, went to the altar, raised your hand when they asked if anyone wanted to be saved, been to church all your life, been baptized, etc. does not mean you are actually saved. Not saying you aren’t. I am just saying that none of these things are evidence of true salvation. The scripture declares to us plainly these evidences. Please do not deceive yourself in thinking you are saved by using as proofs those things that are not defined as proofs by the Word of God. Let the scriptue declare your salvation. If you have done one or all of the above mentioned things and yet have not had a true conversion experience where God changed your heart, where your old life ended and your new life began, please examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith, as Paul the Apostle said. I intend to do a post on that particular topic in the near future. Also, as a matter of gentlenes, I must humbly mention that I am quite aware that some people who show all the fruits of salvation do not have a clearly defined point in their life where they can say, “That was the day God saved me”. The point I am trying to make is that you must have a different relationship with sin. For many of us, especially those who were deeply entrenched in sin and were miraculously delivered, the effects of the divine implanted in us caused a very dramatic change outwardly. This exact type of experience is not necessarily required. I will also say that just because you feel like you have had such an experience does not necessarily indicate that you are truly regenerated. Many people feel this way after attending conferences and such and fall away after a couple weeks. My point ultimately is this: if you are saved it will last, and the change you see in your life will be in line with the scripture (1 John, for example). Please do not deceive yourself, but rather submit yourself to the authority of the scriptures.
