Do you know anyone who has a newborn baby? What I find fascinating about them is that they have the necessary instructions found in their DNA to grow and mature into fully capable adults one day. It will take many years for this to happen, of course, but these infants will grow to adulthood and contribute to society. They are the future leaders of our world. Now think for a moment:  Can you imagine all the stumbling and falling these children will experience in the first few years of their precious lives? No one questions whether or not they will make mistakes, fall down or miscalculate decisions.  It is part of their learning and maturing process. So what do they do after they fall down? They get back up…over and over again!

In the same way, when we become Christians, we experience what the Bible calls being “born again” or receiving a new birth. We have been adopted into the family of God and are given the free gift of eternal life. Something amazing happens on the inside of us spiritually when we accept Christ. We are given a new nature that is sensitive and responsive to the things of God. And we are given the spiritual power and tools necessary to live out our God-given destiny. Even though we have received everything we will need from God for the Christian life and our unique calling, it will take time to mature into Christ’s likeness. This maturing process is called sanctification or being set apart for God. As new baby Christians, we have to learn what it means to walk with God and live in obedience to His will for our lives. Just as newborn children can’t drive cars the moment they enter the world, that would be foolish and dangerous, God doesn’t expect us to be mature Christ-followers overnight, nor does He put us in positions that we can’t handle for our maturity level. Over time, however, as we grow and develop in our faith, God will give us more and more responsibility and influence in His kingdom work. In saying that, there are no shortcuts to our spiritual formation. It takes time and cooperation with the Holy Spirit. So, learn to enjoy the journey and the season God has you in.

The Bible says, “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again…” (Proverbs 24:16a AMP). This means even mature Christians, those who have been on this journey for quite some time, still make mistakes. How much more those who are just getting started. The key is to get back up, learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

This has been true for me. Roughly ten years ago and about 26 years into my Christian walk, I was working on a promotional piece for a worship event my church was sponsoring. I had to get some images off a well-known stock photo website, so I searched under the keyword “worship”. As I scrolled down through the great worship photos, I noticed a picture of a naked woman in the middle of all of them. I had the choice to immediately click to another page or continue to admire God’s creation. In a moment of weakness, I chose to look at the picture a few seconds longer than I should have. I felt convicted for the poor choice and asked God to forgive me. God, in His great love and mercy, said, “Cory get up, dust yourself off and keep moving forward. You are forgiven!” I received His forgiveness and went on with the rest of my day, making a difference in other people’s lives. God reminded me at that moment I am still a work in progress, but oh how far I have come. The devil, on the other hand, was doing his best to heap condemnation on me for hours with an onslaught of venomous words: You pathetic loser. You are in ministry. How could you?! You are washed up…a failure. Just stop right now and throw in the towel. Instead of listening to his barrage of lies, I chose to receive the undeserved free gift of Christ’s finished work on the cross. I chose to believe by faith I am forgiven! Remember, we are a work in progress, and though we are maturing, we still mess up from time to time! Even the greatest of Saints, if they are honest, will tell you they need God’s mercy and forgiveness on a regular basis. We all do!

Here are three powerful applications I’ve learned over the years I believe will be helpful for you: 

  1. The Christian life is a journey and it takes time to become mature. Just like the little baby that falls a lot, you will fall and make mistakes along the way. Get back up, dust yourself off and keep moving forward.  Your mistakes can become nuggets of wisdom to help encourage and strengthen others as you learn from them. So, continue to be teachable and pliable in the Master’s hands.
  2. Don’t try and make excuses for the wrong choices you make. In humility, own up to your sin, turn away from it and let God forgive you. He resists the proud person but gives grace to the humble. Receive His forgiveness and forgive yourself.
  3. Don’t receive condemnation. God convicts us of sin, but the devil condemns us.  Once you ask God for forgiveness and you still feel a sense of heaviness and condemnation for your shortcomings, don’t receive it.  You need to fight back against those lies of the enemy, the accuser of the brethren, by speaking the truth: I am forgiven by God. He paid the price on the cross so that I can be in right standing with Him. Because of what Christ did for me, I can go boldly to the throne of grace and talk to God, asking for His help in my time of need.

My prayer for you is that you will continue to mature and become all God intends for you to be and that you won’t let your past make you feel inferior in any way. I pray you will gain a deeper revelation of who Christ is and the enormous price He paid for you to experience lasting freedom.  I pray you will understand the depth of His unconditional love for you in greater ways and receive the very best He has to offer you in this life. May every dream He has placed in your heart come to pass at just the right time.

And remember, when you fall down, get back up.