March 19, 2017 (Proverbs 24:16)

“A righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity” (Prov 24:16). We dare not commit the sin of presumption and take it for granted that one who is righteous (saved by grace through faith) can be assured of rising again to a state of righteousness after falling into sin. The proverb says a righteous man “may” fall seven times and rise again; but it does not claim such will necessarily take place. It’s entirely possible for those under grace to fall from grace and be cut off from relationship with God. Such is exactly what happened to the Hebrews after they entered the promised land. Backsliding Israel was given a certificate of divorce by the very God who had redeemed them. Judah failed to pay attention and likewise played the harlot in their spiritual adultery (Deut 8:3). So it is that Paul warns born again believers that they “also will be cut off” as were the natural branches should  those in Christ turn from the ways of God (Romans 11:21,22). It is the same stern warning found in chapter 10 of Hebrews: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (10:26, 27).  The writer goes on to explain that once a person is under grace, deliberate sin serves to insult the Spirit of grace and tramples the Son of God underfoot, thereby treating the blood by which one is sanctified as a common thing (10:29). Indeed this warning to those who are righteous is to be deeply respected, for it is “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” (10:31). So let us not be deceived. If the righteous backslide and enter into ways of deliberate sin, their end shall be as is true for the wicked, namely one of calamity. As Paul warns in a letter to the Galatians, God cannot be mocked and each of us will reap what we sow (6:8).