The Open Heaven 26 January 2026 devotional for today is RESTORE BACKSLIDERS.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 26 JANUARY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: RESTORE BACKSLIDERS
MEMORISE:
And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Jude 1:22-23
READ: Luke 15:1-7
1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 26 JANUARY 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
Do you know anyone who used to be a Christian but has returned to the world? If yes, what have you done to restore such a person back to Christ? You might say that you have once tried unsuccessfully to talk to him or her about returning to Christ; however, have you tried again? Will you allow the fellow to remain on the path to hell just because you don’t want him or her to reject your counsel again?
Many years ago, some church members and I followed up on a church member who had backslidden, and thankfully, he returned to Christ.
However, after a while, he backslide again and left the church. We did everything we could to get him to return until it got to a point where I said, “I’m tired. I’ll leave this man to do whatever he likes.”
Many years later, I went to preach at the University of Ife. After my ministration, I wanted to return to Lagos, but God told me to travel in the opposite direction. I did not know where God was leading me to until I got to the neighbourhood where this brother lived. It was at that moment that I knew what God wanted me to do.
I went to his house, and when I got there, his wife hurried to tell him that I had come to visit them. He did not believe it; he thought she was playing a prank on him until he came out and saw me waiting for him. That visit was all it took for him to return to the faith. He probably said to himself, “If you could still remember me and reach out to me after all these years and all the rejection, then your love for me is real, and I am returning.”
Beloved, don’t give up on anyone who has backslidden. Keep following up on them prayerfully, and never give up until the Holy Spirit convicts them to return to the faith again. Just one more phone call or visit from you may save such people from spending eternity in hell. Intentionally go after backsliders and restore them to the Lord.
In today’s memory verse, the Bible talks about having compassion on such people. Keep reaching out to them, and never stop interceding on their behalf until they are restored.
Remember, there’s a great reward for winning souls, as the Bible says that those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever (Daniel 12:3).
ACTION POINT
If you know anyone who has backslidden, prayerfully reach out to him or her today.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Exodus 35-37
HYMN 32: TO THE WORK! TO THE WORK! WE ARE SERVANTS OF GOD
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 26 JANUARY 2026 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Jude 1:22-23
“And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
This scripture provides the dual strategy for restoration: compassion for the wavering and urgent, forceful intervention for those on the brink of eternal ruin. It calls for a proactive, discerning, and relentless love that is willing to get involved in the messy process of pulling someone back from destruction.
BIBLE READING: Luke 15:1-7
This parable reveals the heart of God towards the lost and straying. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to pursue the one that is lost. The restoration of a single backslider is not a minor event; it is a cause for greater rejoicing in heaven than over those who never strayed. It defines the value of one soul and the divine priority of recovery.
The Ministry of Restoration: Pulling the Backslider from the Fire
Daddy Adeboye shifts the focus from winning new souls to the equally critical work of restoring those who have fallen away. He frames this not as optional kindness but as a compassionate, urgent rescue mission from hellfire. The testimony shared underscores that persistence, guided by the Holy Spirit, can break through years of resistance.
1. The Divine Heart for the Backslider
God’s Pursuit is Relentless:
The parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7) is specifically about a sheep that belonged to the flock but went astray—a backslider. The shepherd’s response is not anger but determined pursuit. This is God’s heart: He actively seeks the restoration of His own who have wandered.
Heaven’s Joy Over Restoration:
The joy in heaven over “one sinner that repenteth” (v.7) includes the backslider who returns. Their restoration triggers a fresh celebration. When you labor to restore a fallen brother or sister, you are partnering with heaven’s joy department.
2. The Human Responsibility: Compassionate Persistence
Overcoming the “I Tried Once” Mentality:
The devotional confronts our tendency to give up after initial rejection. The question is stark: “Will you allow the fellow to remain on the path to hell just because you don’t want him or her to reject your counsel again?” Love is measured by its persistence, not just its initial attempt.
The Testimony of Unlikely Obedience:
Daddy Adeboye’s story is powerful. He had given up humanly (“I’m tired… I’ll leave this man”). But God’s direction years later—leading him on a specific, seemingly illogical journey—shows that restoration is a divine assignment. Our role is to obey the Spirit’s promptings, even when they seem inconvenient or late. That one visit, prompted by God, broke a years-long stronghold.
3. The Strategy and Motivation for Restoration
Compassion Makes a Difference (Jude 22):
Approach the backslider not with condemnation, but with genuine empathy and grief over their broken fellowship. Remember their former love and faith. Your compassion can be the bridge that shame has burned.
Save with Fear, Pulling from the Fire (Jude 23):
For those deeply entrenched in sin, a more forceful, urgent intervention may be needed. This is a holy fear of the eternal consequences they face. It’s a willingness to confront in love, to “pull” them from danger, while being careful not to be defiled by their sin (“hating the garment”).
The Reward of the Restorer:
The soul-winner’s reward (Daniel 12:3) applies equally to the restorer. Turning a righteous person back from error saves a soul from death and covers a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20). This is a work of eternal significance.
How to Engage in the Ministry of Restoration
Prayerful Identification and Intercession:
Make a list of backsliders you know. Begin to pray for them daily by name. Ask God to soften their hearts and create a divine moment of receptivity.
Initiate Compassionate Contact:
Reach out without judgment. A simple text: “I’ve been thinking of you and praying for you. I care about you.” Your consistency in love, not your theological arguments, will break down walls.
Be Led by the Spirit for the “Divine Detour”:
Be open to God redirecting your plans to reach someone, as in Daddy Adeboye’s testimony. Your obedient inconvenience can be someone’s salvation.
Warning: Neglect is Complicity in Their Downfall
Ezekiel 3:18 holds us accountable: if we see the wicked (or the backslider) dying in their sin and do not warn them, God will require their blood at our hand. To see a brother stray and do nothing is a grave spiritual failure.
Conclusion: Pray for a Shepherd’s Heart
Pray this:
*”Lord Jesus, Great Shepherd of the sheep, give me Your heart for the lost and the straying. Break my heart for the backsliders I know. Fill me with Your relentless, compassionate love. Guide me by Your Spirit to know when to show mercy and when to urgently warn. Use me as Your instrument to pull souls from the fire. I will not grow weary in well-doing. I commit to praying for and pursuing the restoration of [Name 1-2 people], in Jesus’ name.”*
Action Steps:
- The Backslider List: Write down the names of 1-3 people who have walked away from faith. Commit to praying for them for 5 minutes daily for the next 30 days.
- The First Step of Contact: This week, send a message or make a call to one person on your list. Don’t preach; just express care and let them know you’re praying.
- Study Restoration: Read James 5:19-20 and Galatians 6:1. Note the principles for restoring someone gently and the eternal impact.
- Partner with Your Church: Inform your pastor or care group leader about a backslider you’re concerned about, so the church can support the restoration process prayerfully and practically.
Remember: That “one more” phone call, prayer, or visit you make in obedience could be the very thread God uses to pull a soul from the fire. Don’t give up. Heaven hasn’t.
“And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire…” (Jude 1:23). Be a rescuer.
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