Morning Devotionals

by Don Emmitte

 

May 8th, 2008

 

"I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up"

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.  (Galatians 6:1-5 NIV).

Do you remember the commercials for “Life Alert” that featured an elderly person who had fallen and couldn’t get up be themselves? The whole point of the ad was to promote a product that gave a sense of security for people who were in danger of falling. The feeling of knowing that someone would be there to help elicited a sense of security.

Believe me, there was a time in my life when I was required to give blood once a week that I would have loved to have one of those transmitters around my neck! I wobbled around like a drunk when I got up too fast from a sitting position. In fact, once I literally walked into the wall I was so unsteady! Thank goodness Mary was there to steady me in those days.

As I thought about our reading today, I was reminded of our responsibility as Christians to help others. A spiritual fall is not really all that different. When a Christian stumbles in their walk with Christ, they know it. They usually don't need to be told they messed up. What they need is someone waiting with hands extended to help them get up on their feet again. They need prayer and encouragement. They need to know that, when they are ready to talk about it, you will be there for them to listen. Beating them around the head and shoulders with Bible verses is not step one.

If you think you are in a position to judge and hand out stern correction, look inside. If we are honest, we don't have to dig too far down before we find things that we have to work on ourselves. The more mature a Christian becomes, the more they realize their level of daily, even hourly dependence of Jesus to get through the day. Steven Curtis Chapman once did a song that spoke about living "the next five minutes", and then starting over again. If you want a taste of humility, ask God to give you a glimpse into your heart. There is a side that wants to serve the Savior you love. And there is a side that is at war with the very idea that you can't do just whatever you please to do. That's the side that seeks its own way constantly that needs to be reined in and kept under control. This dark side of your heart might startle you a bit. The good news is that the "old man" the Bible speaks of representing that darker side of your heart is dying and will one day be removed as we enter Eternity. We will still be tempted in this life, but the power of sin and death were crushed at the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The doorway to eternal life in Heaven is open again. When someone falls, be there with a hand to help them up.