Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1024
How Far Have You Fallen?
by Larry Ray Hafley
You know how far David fell in his great sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). You know how far the wandering, squandering "prodigal son" fell (Lk. 15). You are familiar, too, with how far Peter fell when he cursed and swore his denial (Matt. 26). I know how far I and others have fallen at times. How far have you fallen? Are you still down? More important, have you not been lifted up? David was. The prodigal son was. Peter was. Some of us have been, but what about you?
Know this. First, as the examples above illustrate and demonstrate, there is no depth from which you cannot be rescued and redeemed. What you have done cannot be worse than the sins cited above-the adultery of David, the whoredom of the son, the denial of the apostle. Nothing you have done can be any worse. As they were reclaimed, so you can be, too. Second, what others may have said or may say about you does not matter. Only your standing before God counts. What others say against you may cut them off. So, why remain impenitent and go to hell with them? Third, your return and subsequent welcome and acceptance will result in a greater joy than you can imagine! Remember what the shepherd said when he located his lost sheep? "Rejoice with me!" Remember how lovingly and kindly the father received his fallen son in Luke 15:17-24? "Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth."
God calls to you as he once called to his errant children. "For Jehovah hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In overflowing wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting lovingkindness will I have mercy on thee, saith Jehovah thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I will not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but my lovingkindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, saith Jehovah that hath mercy on thee" (Isa. 54:6-10). Will you hear and heed his call?
