Hosea 14:1
“O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.”
God said about Israel, “…for thou has fallen by thine iniquity.” Who could this not be said about? There are many people who at one time fell because of sin. I think oftentimes we only think about those whose sin has caused them to lose position as fallen, but scripturally anyone who has sinned has fallen. What I love about the terminology that God uses in the verse above is that it didn't mean the end. There are three things fallen doesn't mean.
First, fallen doesn't mean destroyed. God didn't say, “…for thou hast been destroyed by thine iniquity.” God said that Israel “hast fallen.”Just because you may have fallen in sin doesn't mean that your life is destroyed. Certainly, sin rearranges the landscape of your life, but it doesn't have to be the end of your life.
Second, fallen doesn't mean unusable. God wasn't done with Israel because they fell. In fact, if you go to the Book of Revelation, God still has plans for Israel. Christian, just because you have fallen doesn't mean God can't use you again. Read the Scriptures and look at how many people God used after they fell. David wasn't unusable after he fell. Let me also remind you of Samson, Peter, John Mark, Jacob, Abraham and many more. The Scriptures are filled with people who fell because of iniquity, but God still used them. Sin may have severely damaged you, but you are still usable. Don't allow the negative impact of sin’s damages cause you to believe the Devil’s lie that you are unusable. God can still use you, even after you have sinned.
Third, fallen doesn't mean there is no hope. One of the greatest reasons I’m glad that God used the word “fallen” is because that means there is still hope. Sin may make you feel hopeless, but there is still hope as long as God is involved in your life. God is the master at restoration. The depth of your fall doesn't keep God from restoring your life.
Christian, be careful about being judgmental of the fallen and discouraging them. God has not given up on them, and neither should you. When someone has fallen, you should be the first one to their side to help them get back up. Don't be the tool which turns the fallen into destruction; instead, be the tool God uses to turn the fallen into a beautiful story of God’s restorative grace. You must remember that you are not above someone else because they have fallen. Who is to say that it won’t be you someday? If you treat every fallen person like you would want someone to treat you or a loved one if you fell, you will find that you will treat the fallen in the same manner that God treats them. Always hope and pray that every fallen person becomes a story of God’s grace.
Moreover, if you have fallen, don't let the whispers of Satan’s accusations discourage you. You have a great God Who is very capable of restoring you no matter how far you have fallen into sin. The first step of getting up is always the hardest step to take. Let me encourage you to take that first step and get up. Don't forsake church or those who want to help you. Don't go into a hibernation mode because you are embarrassed. You will find more people are excited that you have come back than there are those who look at you through disdainful eyes. If you have fallen, it is not the end. God’s grace can restore you if you get up and start walking through the steps of restoration.