You don't have to stay down

It is possible in the life of a Christian that he falls down because of sin, foolish choice, unbelief, confusion, doubt, etc., and then becomes hopeless thinking that he has disappointed the Saviour or that he has gone too far to get back to Him. Perhaps it has been too long in backsliding, or one fall has led to many others. It seems reasonable to think that the Lord has no time for failures or half-hearted people.

God wants everyone to be overcomers and stop sinning (progressively). "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin." But God is not unrealistic as to expect that everyone will go from victory to victory without failing! That is why He has concluded His exhortation with His comfort. "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1Jn.2:1). Jesus came to save us from our sins, or pluck us out of sin, not only to forgive us but to save us from the power of sin over our life and to transform us into His likeness (Mt.1:21;2Pe.1:3,4). As He takes us through this process, He knows that like little children learning to walk we are not going to walk straightaway in victory without stumbling. If we fall, He is not going to throw us out but come running to our aid to teach us to be more careful and wise next time (He.2:18).

Our job is to run to Him for help. Every time we fail in a big or small way, we need to go to Him, admit our failure and ask Him to teach us how to overcome next time. Sooner or later, He will make sure that we learn (Jude.24). But if we try to cover up our failure, justify ourselves or give up in unbelief, that is what will hinder us from becoming victorious.

One reason some people give up is because of a wrong understanding of victory. They believe that salvation is entirely a work of God. Naturally they expect Him to grant them victory. But when that does not happen, they conclude either that the whole gospel is a hoax, or that they are too bad for God to save. This is a trap of the devil.

Think of how Jesus saved the criminal on the cross by His side at the very end of a life of crime and wickedness. There was absolutely no reason for that man to expect any mercy from God. But then he came to experience grace – mercy from God for people who did not deserve it. God offers this grace to everyone without discrimination (1Jn.2:2). Those who gladly receive this grace find salvation. This grace now teaches them to turn from their old life of sin and to learn now to live for Jesus (Ti.2:11,12).

Then there are others who scoff at grace, live their own way and perish. It is a choice they make. Those who start on their way to walk with Jesus also have a choice to make when they fall – to continue to lie down there and lose out, weep over their misery and sink deep into hopelessness, or to turn to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and help to continue their journey with Him. This is possible if we understand grace!