Nestled in Scripture, placed like little gold nuggets in a hidden treasure chest, CAROLINE BENTON reveals the formula that will keep us from falling.
Help! I’ve Fallen And I Can’t Seem To Get Up! How many times has this been your mantra as a believer and Christian? Lord knows this has been my claim many times. It’s heart wrenching when one looks back over their faults and falls as we each have our own path, our own journey to walk out and we seem to focus more on the falls instead of prevention. Paul writes in scriptures that we are running a race. Perhaps that word race can relate to the amount of time we actually live here on earth. Time feels like forever and never ending in the moment, then it feels like it crept up on us so fast, or happened a long time ago.
So how does a believer overcome the falls since our time here on earth is brief? Is there really a formula or action steps we can take to keep us from falling? We know God says we are made from dust of the earth and his mercies are brand new every morning. We also know that God will pardon our sins and excuse our falls because of his great grace and never ending mercy. However, we still have to live with the consequences or scars from those falls. I believe there is a way to reduce these falls and consequences.
It requires us to raise the bar, step up, persevere, stay the course, and maintain commitment. No, humans are not perfect. However, a formula can be practiced if one chooses to stay committed and be disciplined. Is it easy? Anything of value always requires effort. Never falling, now that’s valuable to a Christian! It’s all for the glory of God anyway to draw others to him by what others hear us say and do. All our answers are in the word of God. We must read the word because God’s instructions and insights are hidden treasures. We all must search diligently and study the word daily in order to produce spiritual fruit which becomes our actions and behaviors. A part from Christ we can do nothing, there’s your insight, or knowledge.
I personally don’t like falling because of the pain I have to endure and the feelings of here I go again Lord asking for forgiveness and making excuses for programmed or routine responses. I think to myself, some testimony I got! Therefore, I’ve been on a quest with the Lord to help me make better choices in the heat of my battles and I believe I found the answers. I found the playbook, the steps, or the actions that will keep us from falling, nestled in a few scriptures placed like little gold nuggets in a hidden treasure chest.
In Second Peter 1:3-11 with a focus on verses 5 through 10. “(5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. (10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” (King James Bible)
Here’s the formula:
Faith + Virtue + Knowledge + Temperance + Patience + Godliness + Brotherly Kindness + Charity x Abound in these steps = Never Fall.
I guess God did create Algebra equations! In order to break down this equation one needs to define and know each piece thoroughly. Knowing processes removes the guesswork and creates potential successes.
The definitions (from Dictionary.com) are as follows:
Faith = confidence or trust in a person or thing; belief that is not based on proof.
Virtue = moral excellence; goodness; righteousness. Conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles.
Knowledge = acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation.
Temperance = moderation or self restraint in action, statement, etc; self-control.
Patience = the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.
Godliness – conforming to the laws and wishes of God.
Brotherly Kindness = a kind act resembling, or suitable to a brother, especially in showing loyalty and affection.
Charity = generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless.
Abound = to occur or exist in great quantities or numbers.
As a believer, we all have to produce works and keep the faith. Faith without works is dead and works show faith in Christ’s ability which works through us. So, next time you fall, reevaluate your actions by using the formula God has provided in His word to see which one of the actions you missed. Pray and ask for forgiveness, discretion, guidance, and get back up on your feet. Or you could just mimic the formula and never fall.
Copyright © 2012 Caroline Green Benton
I invite you to hear the true word of God.
Satan has deceived the whole world Rev 12:9 until a woman delivers the true word to the world Rev 12:5, Rev 12:13 from the wilderness Rev 12:6. The true word proves by the word of God that not one child of God will be put in a hell fire no matter what their sins whether they repent in this life or not. It never entered the heart or mind of God to ever do such a thing Jer 7:31, Jer 19:5 to his children. The world has been worshipping the god of hate, murder and revenge. Prove all things.
http://thegoodtale.blogspot.com/2012/01/power-of-god.html
That is what you call discovering something worthwhile in scripture and applying it to the world we live in today. That is very helpful.