Looking Back

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Our next ominous verse is one that is given directly by our Lord; and we find that this verse also only concerns true believers. The context of its being spoken was a discourse between Himself and several believers who wished also to become disciples—there is a difference between a believer and a disciple. Although these persons had come to place their faith in Christ, they were unaware of the cost that following Jesus and serving Him would require. Many people have the idea that serving God brings to them a life of blessings and a taste of Heaven on earth. However, the examples from Scripture and from the personal experiences of contemporary believers, indicates that this is not the case. The Apostle Paul, whose personal testimony was one of having to endure much suffering and persecution said, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

Luke 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

2 Cor 11:23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

1 Cor 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Although all believers have the privilege of serving Christ, those who would devote themselves to the Lord must first count the cost. When a believer dedicates their life to Christ they are giving up their own life—their own personal goals, desires, and dreams. They are also giving up the things of this world—its riches, pleasures, and status. Furthermore, they are subjecting themselves to ridicule, scorn, and tribulation. These things are the price that must be paid by the true servants of Christ; and these things we must account before God takes our commitment seriously.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Luke 14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

When God deems their commitment worthy of service to Him, He responds to those believers in many ways. The first evidence of being found worthy is to be filled with the Spirit of God. Just as Jesus was “full of the Holy Ghost” for His ministry, and the early church was “filled with the Holy Ghost” to fulfill their service, even so, everyone who is going to do the work of God must be “filled with the Spirit.” Although this doctrine is distained by many Christians today—because it has been so misunderstood and misused—nevertheless, the teaching of Scripture and the testimony of many dedicated believers attest to its validity. This filling of the Spirit gives to believers both the boldness to witness for their Lord, and also makes their testimony powerful and effective. Without the anointing power of the Holy Spirit, everything we do in our human strength is feeble and ineffectual.

Matt 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Matt 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

1 Tim 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

Luke 4:1 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

1 Cor 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

God also gives to these dedicated believers both the knowledge and wisdom to carry out His will. Both Jesus and the early church were noted because of the supernatural wisdom by which they spoke and acted. This wisdom is necessary if we are to accomplish God’s will. Too many of God’s people are laboring to do what they think is God’s work, but it is only the wisdom and work that emanates from themselves or the leading of other men.

Matt 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

1 Cor 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

We could go on to elaborate on other ways that God blesses the ministry of these saints to make our point—such as teaching them how to pray effectively, how to manifest and use their spiritual gifts, how to walk in Christ, how to bear much fruit for God’s glory, seeing miracles, and other manifestations of God’s power. However, to summarize, there is no area of life that God does not bless for those who are wholly given to His service.

Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1Cor 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

1 Cor 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

However, once a commitment to serve Christ is made, believers must not look back. Once we put our “hand to the plough” the time for deciding how we want to live our lives is over. We must count the cost beforehand and not after; and we must remain fully committed to serving our Lord. “Better is it that (we) shouldest not vow, than that (we) shouldest vow and not pay.” God is not looking for part-time or temporary workers, but for full-time, life-long, dedicated servants. This does not mean that everyone who serves Christ is a full-time pastor or missionary; but we can serve Christ wherever we are and with whatever capacity He gives us. Many of God’s servants have ordinary jobs and occupy their lives much the same as everyone else. The difference in their lives is whose will are they obeying and for whose glory are they living.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Ecc 5:5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

1 Cor 7:20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

What about those servants who do look back? Jesus said that they are not “fit for the kingdom of God.” Does that mean that they are no longer “fit” for Heaven? I would hope from our previous studies that we know this is not what Jesus is talking about. Many mislead preachers and teachers like these kinds of verses to support their Armenian doctrine that a Christian can lose his or her salvation. However, we were never “fit” for Heaven and neither will we ever be—except in the righteousness of Christ. The following verse from the old hymn “Come Ye Sinners”[1] says it best.

Let not conscience make you linger,
Not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.[2]

2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

In what way then, can a believer lose their fitness? The danger is to those believers who have counted the cost and offered themselves to God for service; it is to those believers whom God has approved by the filling, gifts, and manifestations of His Spirit. They began to serve God, but then looked back. They began to desire their old life and the things of this world, and became unfit for God to use any longer. Although we all are tempted to turn back, and many times we do fall to temptations, God chastens, forgives, cleanses, and restores us; but those whose heart is turned toward the flesh and the world may never find renewal.

2 Tim 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

Psa 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Prov 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

John 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

What happens to those believers who lose their fitness? If God cannot bring them back through chastening He ceases to bless their testimony and they are left to themselves. They lose their spiritual power, their God-given wisdom, their effectiveness in prayer, and all of the other blessings that God once poured upon them. A picture or type of what happens to these saints is seen in Lot’s wife[3]. After God brought them out of Sodom she disobeyed the angels warning and looked back, and was turned into a pillar of salt. Although she was delivered from the awful judgment that God poured upon the city, nevertheless, her heart still longed for the life she had there. Believers are supposed to be “the salt of the earth”—their lives and testimonies are supposed to be an influence upon the world; but when they lose their “savour”—the difference between their lives and the world—they become “good for nothing.” Like Lot’s wife they become merely a religious statue—someone who professes Christ, but who is spiritually cold and lifeless. They are still a believer and possess the knowledge of Christ; but all they possess is frozen inside of them and benefits no one else. They become useless to God, a byword to the world, and miserable in themselves.

Matt 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Gen 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.

What can a believer do to avoid this sad condition? Jesus told His disciples to “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation”; because “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Those that serve Christ have many enemies and we must be on guard at all times. We must also be attentive to the Spirit’s leading in our lives. God is faithful to correct us and give us direction, but we must heed His voice. However, anytime we are being led to make a life altering decision, we must be clear about whose voice and will we are following—the Spirit of God’s, or Satan’s and/or our own flesh. Anytime we feel uncomfortable or unsure about what we are doing—we should stop until we have a more sure direction from God. We must, by all means, guard our hearts lest we be tempted to look back— “Remember Lot's wife.”

Matt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Deut 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

Luke 17:32 Remember Lot's wife.