By Evang. Joachim P. Erameh
The Bible has some timely warnings for every believer in Christ Jesus. One such warning is found in 1 Corinthians 10:12, which says, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
For the Holy Spirit to say “take heed,” it means there is every possibility that anyone can fall, if care is not taken. When it comes to running the heavenly race, no one is a superman or above temptation. Therefore, take heed my beloved! We’ve seen believers who fell while running the heavenly race, some of whom were even great ministers of God.
If you’re still standing, humble yourself and give thanks to God because it’s not by your power, but by the grace of God. Don’t say, “I know myself, I cannot fall.” As long as we’re human, anybody can fall. Apostle Peter once boasted that he couldn’t fall, as recorded in Matthew 26:33-35. But when the hour of temptation came, he denied Jesus Christ three times (Matthew 26:69-75).
The goal of the devil is to stop believers from making heaven. That’s why 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” The devil has vowed to drag many people, including careless believers, with him into hell. Be careful and don’t allow him to hinder you from going to heaven. Avoid every source of temptation (closeness with the opposite sex, money, greed, covetousness, etc.) that the devil has opened to you.
Be mindful of how you run your Christian race. Luke 21:36 says, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
If you’ve fallen already, don’t remain where you fell; stand up and continue to run the race till you get to heaven. The Bible says, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief” (Proverbs 24:16). Wherever you may have fallen short of His glory, you can ask for forgiveness and the grace to continue in the race. As 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Dear reader, are you a believer? If yes, are you still standing on your Christian convictions or have you fallen from faith? If you’re living in sin, repent and rededicate your life to Jesus Christ.
If you want to rededicate your life to Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer with sincerity and commitment.
Heavenly Father, I come before you with a humble heart, acknowledging my weaknesses and failures. I confess that I have fallen short of your glory and have allowed sin to creep into my life. I repent of my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Cleanse me and restore me to a right relationship with you. Give me the strength and grace to continue running the heavenly race and to stand firm in my faith. Thank you for your mercy and love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
