Fallen!
YOU WHO ARE FALLEN! RISE UP QUICKLY

There is difference between someone who falls because of a broken leg
and one who is down as he trips over a stone. The one who tripped over a
stone can straighten himself up and walk immediately. However the person
with broken leg can walk only after it is cured. In the same way, there is
difference between the person who is defeated and enslaved by the enemy
and the one who is still fighting in a battle. The fighting person keeps
himself from being subdued by the enemy. But he who is conquered, lives
the lowly life of a slave. A person who sins and continues to sin is won over
by sin and satan and remains a slave to sin.

In the battle between Amalek and the Israelites under the leadership of
Joshua, though Amalek was victorious when Moses let his hands down,
Israel won the battle finally when Moses' hands were held up steadily.
Likewise, the one who struggles relentlessly against sin continues to fight
on and ultimately overcomes it even if he fails once or twice. He who
carefully observes the commandment "thou shalt not covet", could
accidentally let his eyes wander, induced by his own fleshly desires or by
satan. Later, convicted by the Holy Spirit, he confesses and cleanses
himself. Such a person is neither fallen nor a backslider. Someone who
considers the sewerage filthy will never like to come in contact with it. By
chance if some animal shakes it's tail and causes the filth to splash on his
dress, he immediately cleanses himself. Such a person would never like his
dress to be dirtied again by the filth. On the other hand, a buffalo will seek
the sewerage even after washed with good water. If someone who leads a
Christian life after being washed and cleansed by the blood of Jesus is
drawn away by his own desire and goes after what he desired, attains it
and continues to remain in it, then, he or she is a fallen person, fallen in
sin! If someone is baptized after removing her jewels and makes a
covenant with Christ to live as His slave (in accordance to His will), but later
puts on her jewels enticed by the worldly attractions, she breaks her
covenant, and is therefore fallen. She is fallen down of a broken leg,
unable to progress on the Christian path. Such a person is a slave to sin
and is like swine which loves filth. He or she is like the senseless buffalo.
God wants to straighten up such persons. God is willing to deliver them
from their bondage. The Lord wishes to cleanse and make use of such
persons.

The Lord who lifted up king David through Nathan would also lift you up (II
Sam 12:13). The Lord who saved Joshua the chief priest from being
harmed by satan by ordering those who stood before Him to remove the
filthy garments worn by Joshua and clothe him with clean garments, would
rescue you too (Zach. 3:1-5). Children of God are praying for you who are in
sin which is not unto death. Therefore receive life (I John 5:16).

You waste time! Don't neglect the opportunity that comes your way to rise.
God sends his ministers with his words in order to lift you up. Don't neglect
their counsels. You are like a pot that is marred while the potter was
shaping from the clay; As the potter forms it into another pot shaping it as
seemed best to him, so shall the Lord set you upright if you repent of your
evil desires and deeds (Jer. 18:4-8).

The Lord showed through the following revelation what would happen to a
backslider or a fallen man if he is negligent to renew himself over a
prolonged period of time: A honorable man of God is washing his clothes
sitting on a staircase. At that time, a backslider comes to him. Immediately
the man of God takes pity on him and unmindful of the soap in his hands,
attempts to counsel him. As both of them descend a few steps planning to
sit together and discuss, two worldly persons suddenly appear and occupy
the seats which they selected for discussion. Realizing that satan is trying
to hinder, they come down a few more steps to find a place to talk. Then
the backslider sees his friends at a distance and tells the man of God that
he will meet his friends, talk to them and come back. The man of God
allows him to go. After talking with his friends, the backslider returns. Now
he looks a few years younger. When the man of God attempts to start the
discussion, the backslider sees some adolescents playing at a distance
and leaves promising to return after playing with them for some time. The
man of God is waiting patiently. As the backslider returns after sometime,
he looks younger by a few more years. As the man of God hastens to start
the discussion again, the backslider sees some children playing around and
goes there. As the time passes away, the man of God returns to his place.
Now the backslider who returns after playing with the children, looks like a
child. Therefore he is not fit to receive teaching at this stage since it will
not be useful to him.

Thus that Christian backslider remained unrenewed since he neglected the
opportunities given to him by God to renew himself. Beloved brother and
sister, you also don't fall low by going after worldly desires and mean
pleasures. God gives the fallen people time to repent. He punishes them if
they fail to repent (Rev.2:21,22). You who are loved by the Lord! Return to
the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; Take
words with you, and return to the Lord. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity;
receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. For in you
the fatherless finds mercy" (Hosea 14:1-4). You who are fallen! Rise up
quickly.
 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens
the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Rev.3:20).