For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Proverbs 24:16
Have you ever contemplated the difference between a righteous man and an unrighteous man? Just what is it that makes the righteous man righteous and the unrighteous man unrighteous? Is it the deeds that they do? Although actions are very important I believe attitude has more to do with righteousness than actions.
The scripture tells us that a righteous man falls seven times and gets right back up. Therein lies the secret to righteous living. A righteous man does not make excuses when he falls. He desires to do what is right so he gets up again. The wicked, however, fall into mischief (or sin) and stay there. No effort is made to avoid the sin the next time.
Although we have been born again spiritually we must still contend with our fleshly desire on a daily basis. Because of this, some have adopted the idea that we must all sin a little every day and it is alright that we do. This attitude is what separates the righteous from the wicked more than anything else. The righteous man has purposed in his heart to do what is right. If he falls, he repents, and gets up again. The wicked makes excuses for what he has done. He excuses himself with phrases such as "I'm just a sinner saved by grace." As reborn believers in Christ we should not think this way. We should constantly remind ourselves that we are being remade into the image of God. If we fall along the way (and we will) so be it. The answer is not to make excuses for why we did fall but to get back up again.
I am thankful for God's amazing mercy and grace. Without his grace all of us would be lost. But the words of the Apostle Peter echo in my ears: "Do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil." In other words, when we fall, get up, repent, and go forward.
Yours in Christ,
Sullivan Jones
