In Reply to: Re: Fear of "backsliding" posted by Chris on July 01, 2006 at 03:52:21:
As with every thing, Berg had it wrong from the Bible as he took parts to meet his needs and them out of context. If we only knew earlier that leaving TF wasn't backsliding, but leaving a cult. This passage out of Revelation kind of puts into perspective what God's attitude toward backsliders is. It contains our old memory verse Revelation 3:20, which is used as a salvation verse, but put into context it's not really the same. I'm including Revelation 3:14-22 from the Message Translation.
14Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says:
15-17"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
18"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.
19"The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
20-21"Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!
22"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."