WHEN THE PILGRIM STUMBLES AND FALLS DOWN.

SERIES: THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

TEXT: GALATIANS 6:1-2.

On reaching the cross, one’s sins are entirely forgiven and the believer is empowered by the blood of the Lord to be able to overcome sin thereafter in the pilgrim’s journey. However, the burden of sin still bothers a believer throughout the pilgrim’s journey until death or rapture. A song writer wote, “the burden rolled away, at the cross” meaning that sin will never be an issue-it will show up again after arriving at the cross. Many a time sin is still a burden after arriving at the cross. But the pilgrim is given power at the cross, to overcome sin.

Apostle Paul says in Romans 7:15-20-

“For that which I do I allow not; for what I want I would, that I not, but what I hate, that I do. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For the good that I would I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do but sin that dwelleth in me.”

At the cross the sinner is translated to a saint, he/she becomes a new creature, the old passes away-2nd Cor. 5:17, but the war against sin still continues. If the believer all the time chooses to walk in the Holy Spirit, he/she will overcome most of the temptations of sin-Gal. 5:16. However it is not possible to have a perfectly sinless pilgrim. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”-1st John 1:8. That is why salvation can only be possible by grace.

Galatians 6:1, speaks of a believer, a pilgrim who has fallen into sin after salvation.

WHEN A BELIEVER IS “OVERTAKEN” BY SIN.

When this burden of sin causes the pilgrim to stumble and fall down:-

The believer loses peace. A true believer loses peace after falling into sin.

Apostle Peter: When he fell into sin after salvation by denying the Lord in His presence, Apostle Peter realized it, he lost his peace, withdrew from the place he was basking in fire and wept bitterly-Luke 22:61-62.

King David: After killing Uriah and committing adultery with Uriah’s wife, he lost peace. He now cries to God, “restore to me the joy of salvation”-Psalm 51:7-12.

Guilt comes in: Falling into sin creates a doorway for guilt for a true believer. A hardened sinner or a hypocrite celebrates sin, his/her conscience is seared and count it as an achievement. The born again believer falls into guilt after sinning, a civil war starts within and the saint starts looking for restoration from God. King David in sin prayed to God, “Do not cast me away from thy presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” He knew that God can do the two-cast him away and also withdraw the Holy Spirit who came into him when he was anointed. The sinner celebrates sin, the saint mourns in sin.
Fear comes in: Sin opens the door for fear to come in inferiority and lack of confidence. After Adam and Eve sinned they feared and hid themselves from the presence of the Lord-Genesis 3:8.
Yearning for restoration: A true believer will yearn for restoration of fellowship with God. God is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity-Habakkuk 1:13.

THE LEGACY OF SIN.

For a true believer sin is a choice. Choices have consequences; some examples:-

King David: God forgave David after repentance, but God did not exempt him from the consequences of his sins.

The child conceived died.
The sword entered into his family, God told him, “The sword shall never leave your house”-2nd Sam. 12:10-14. David’s own son ran after him to kill him.
Adultery entered his house and humiliated him publicly, his son did fornication with his daughter and his wives did adultery in public-2nd Sam. 12:12. God restores and forgives abundantly but the saint lives with the consequences of sin.

Apostle Pater: After denying the Lord publicly, the Lord, after restoration subjected him to tough questions of his salvation, “Do you love me more than these?”-John 21:15. Peter was later imprisoned and finally was crucified on a cross.

There is no easy way of committing sin for a child of God.

GOD’S LOVE IS AWESOME-HE FORGIVES ABSOLUTELY.

Forgiveness is the ultimate display of love.
The love of God is beyond measure, He forgives absolutely, He forgives more than seven times seventy-Matthew 18:22.
God is merciful, He is slow to anger and does not wish that any should perish-2nd Peter 3:9.
He forgives sin and does not remember it anymore-Psalm 103:12.

RESTORING A PILGRIM THAT HAS SINNED-Gal. 6:1-2.

- The spiritual person is the one tasked with the duty to go to the saint who has been overtaken by sin. The spiritual believer is he/she that walks and is led by the Holy Spirit, not any believer.
- The spiritual person should restore the one fallen in sin. Restoration is possible. Once a saint has fallen into sin, GOD offers another chance to return to Him and have fellowship again-Isaiah 55:7.
- Restoration must be gentle: The saint who has been overtaken by sin is already haunted by guilt. The restorer should be gentle, soft and with empathy, not judgemental. God is the judge.
- The restorer can also be captured by the same sin. When a soldier stands in the gap for another wounded soldier, the same arrows that aimed at the wounded can hit the one doing the rescue. Sin has a bigger dimension of the spiritual more than the physical war. Leading of the Holy Spirit in this rescue is crucial.

Approaching a stumbled and fallen saint is fulfilling the law of Christ-Gal. 6:2.

CONCLUSION

Anyone can be overtaken by sin, be careful how you walk the pilgrim’s journey-Eph. 5:15-17.
Fulfil the law of Christ-restore the brother/sister who has fallen into sin. Lead others to righteousness-Daniel 12:3.