Pardon for the Repentant that Fell
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”.
1 John 2:1
It is definitely possible for those who began a walk with Christ and have fallen to receive pardon for their sins. God’s promises are sure. He promised, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). If we reason from this verse, the only sin that cannot be forgiven is the one that is not confessed and repented of.
While it hurts God for His followers to fall away, He is always desiring for His people to return that He may pardon and cleanse them (Isaiah 44:22). This is most beautifully illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24). Jesus said, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).
The issue with those who once accepted Jesus and then fall away is that it does much damage to the cause of God. The Bible states, “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:6).
When a person claims to follow Jesus and then falls away, it causes those who see this to doubt God’s saving power and brings shame to God’s church. Once we accept Jesus, we become a spectacle to the world and others are watching our lives as a witness to our faith (1 Corinthians 4:9). While it is not the ideal plan for those who once were saved to fall away and then return, God would rather His people come back to Him than they be lost (Ezekiel 18:32, 2 Peter 3:9).
If we see a person falling away, the Bible reminds us to restore them in a spirit of meekness and wisdom (Galatians 6:1).
There are so many examples of God’s people making mistakes and then receiving pardon and restoration, it should encourage us to keep moving forward on our walk to heaven. Think of David, Peter and Miriam who all made big mistakes yet were pardoned and healed by God’s amazing grace. The point is they got saved because they kept on getting back up.
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…”
Proverbs 24:16
If the believer, who fell, rises up after each failure, if he takes a grip on God’s pardon again and His power that is so freely offered to all (Matthew 11:28; Jude 24), then he will be a victor, and the Lord will complete in him the work that He has begun (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:2). The wish to become holy and the power to carry out the wish both come from the Lord (Philippians 2:13). Hence none need ever get discouraged, no matter how feeble he may think himself to be, as long as he is willing to do God’s will.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
