Skating on Thin Ice

“But the tax collector stood not very far away. He would not even look up to heaven. He beat his chest and said, ‘God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner.’ (Luke 18:13)

The popular Gospel song from a while back goes like this . . . . We fall down but we get up . . . We fall down but we get up . . . For a saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up!

But is it that simple?

Genuine repentance pleads with the Lord to forgive and deliver from the burden of sin and the fear of judgment and hell. It is the attitude of the publican who, fearful of even looking toward heaven, smote his breast and cried, "God, be merciful to me, the sinner!" (Luke 18:13). Repentance is not merely behavior reform. But because true repentance involves a change of heart and purpose, it inevitably results in a change of behavior. (John MacArthur)

Like the young boy or girl who wanders out on the ice on an early winter morning, the next step could be disaster for us. We are one step away from sin and plunging into icy waters way over our heads. Much like the winter ice, sin’s consequences are many times hidden under the false security of no one ever finding out. Yet one more step and the covering cracks and we find ourselves sprawling for something to grab onto in order to keep from going under! However, the skater on the ice rink has no danger of falling through the ice . . . he or she knows there is a solid foundation below. He falls, but pushes back up. Many times we may hit the ground hard, but our foundation of faith allows us to get back up again! Eventually we stay up on our feet longer and longer. We begin to get used to each step and feel comfortable on the ice. We are stable and confident to go on . . . even faster! The foundation must be secure before we take any steps! The heart must be right . . .

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)