Acts 15:36-39 — After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated.
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Paul and Barnabas had been set aside for the ministry of the Gospel among the Gentiles and had traveled together through many areas and announced the Gospel. Yet Luke testified that there came such a sharp disagreement between them that they parted company. Here there was a fault either in Paul or in Barnabas or in both. It must have been a very sharp disagreement to separate such close companions, and this is what the text suggests. Such examples are written for our comfort. For it is a great comfort for us to hear that even such great saints sin.
Samson, David and many other celebrated leaders who were full of the Holy Spirit fell in huge sins. Such errors and sins of the saints are set forth in order that those who are troubled and desperate may find comfort and that those who are proud may be afraid. No one has ever fallen so grievously as to not have stood up again. On the other hand, no one has such a sure footing that he or she cannot fall. If Peter fell, I, too, may fall; if he stood up again, so can I.
–Martin Luther
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Fall down seven times, get up eight.
Japanese proverb
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I Corinthians 10:11-12 — These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us… So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
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Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a poor sinner.
–Ancient Jesus Prayer
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