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  WE CAN RISE AGAIN
  by James Stalker
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Summary: Through Christ, we can rise again from our sins and become a
new person, using our past experiences as stepping stones to grow in
humility and trust in Him.

Topics: "Repentance", "Sanctification"
Scripture References: Psalm 51:3, Psalm 51:13, Proverbs 24:16, Romans 6:14, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 12:9, James 4:10

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DESCRIPTION
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James Stalker preaches about the possibility of rising after falling
into sin, emphasizing that through Christ, one can overcome besetting
sins and be washed, justified, and sanctified by the Spirit of God. He
encourages those who feel fallen to believe that they can rise, citing
examples of individuals who were once deeply fallen but found
redemption. Stalker acknowledges the doctrine's potential for abuse but
stresses its relevance for those seeking deliverance, drawing
inspiration from St. Augustine's concept of using past sins as stepping
stones towards perfection. He highlights David's repentance in Psalm 51
as a model for turning transgressors back to God.

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CONTENT
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"My sin is ever before me"

(Ps. 51:3).

But then, if we have fallen, our enemy plies us with the other argument:
It is of no use to attempt to rise; you cannot overcome your besetting
sin. But this is falser still. To those who feel themselves fallen I
come, in Christ's name, to say, Yes, you may rise. If we could ascend to
heaven today and scan the ranks of the blessed, should we not find
multitudes among them who were once sunk low as man can fall? But they
are washed, they are justified, they are sanctified, in the name of the
Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. And so may you be.

It is, I know, a doctrine which may be abused; but I will not scruple to
preach it to those who are fallen and sighing for deliverance. St.
Augustine says that we may, out of our dead sins, make stepping stones
to rise to the heights of perfection. What did he mean by that? He meant
that the memory of our falls may breed in us such a humility, such a
distrust of self, such a constant clinging to Christ as we could never
have had without the experience of our own weakness.

Does not the Scripture itself go even further? David fell deep as man
can fall; but what does he say in that great fifty-first Psalm, in which
he confesses his sin? Anticipating forgiveness, he sings,

Then will I teach Thy ways unto

Those that transgressors be,

And those that sinners are shall then

Be turned unto Thee.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/james-stalker/we-can-rise-again/
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