In A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Eugene Peterson, recounts his history with the word “backslider” and the fears that attended that history. He then notes that in Psalm 125 the emphasis is on the solidity of the life of faith rather than its precariousness. The Psalm tells us that “God encircles his people.” Peterson assures us that “we don’t always have to be looking over our shoulder lest evil overtake us unawares” (86); “Evil is always temporary” (89); “Defection requires a deliberate, sustained and determined act of rejection” (90). There are some very liberating and life-changing thoughts here. The implication is that apostasy is conscious and active.
Though I am hesitant to disagree with Peterson, I do in this case—at least in a part of what he says. I have taken my training from the Caroline Divines, from the Puritans, and from John Wesley to heart and I know the value of self-examination and a healthy fear of the deceitfulness of the human heart. Where I have to disagree with Peterson is over the implication that defection (apostasy) requires me to be conscious of it or active in it.
There are two principles at work in this aspect of the Christian life. (1) God will every time and always provide for my continued walking with him, for my power over sin, for my security in Christ. I can trust in God. And, (2) “the world” is constantly drawing me away. If I am not actively focusing on God my attention will be diverted. Where my attention goes so goes my heart where my heart goes so follow my actions. If I wander off after the things of the world I have defected from God whether or not I thought to send him a “dear John letter.” This defection is not instant—to be sure—but only in as much as cheating on my wife would not be an instant termination of our marriage. God is always faithful. If I am not faithful I rely on God’s faithfulness not on my own—to be sure. The answer is to always focus on God’s faithfulness. This will keep me from being distracted and from defecting. Self-examination is a good practice and keeping God in view is even better.
That is one of the things we do in worship. This is true for those who lead in worship personally. You must keep God in the center of your focus as you offer praise. It is also true of what you do for the church. You bring God to the attention of the congregation; you lead the congregation in looking to God. Blessed are you who never let us let God out of our sight.
