These Are My JOTtings, Part #2

Falling and Getting Up

What human can be perfect? None,
but Jesus Christ, the Lord.
How is the Victory finally won?
In Merits, He affords.

Is one mistake the cause to throw
up hands, and hang the head?
In Christ is safety, that we know,
this One, Who rose from the dead.

What chance hath one of Adam's sons
to lift off of this dirt?
Can he find Grace in "victories" won
to lasting Hell avert?

Can he find Grace in doing things,
that clearly need be done?
The Gospel Truth in songs he sings
'til lost souls there be none?

Oh, fearsome words, "Depart from me"
in The Sermon on the Mount.
No good deeds can our souls, yet free,
this flimsy, small redoubt.

Take heart, Old Soldier, striped by sin
in daily harsh assault.
The victory's yours for Christ did win,
your punishment to halt.

"For all the sufferings of this day
are worthy not, I trow
compared" to what God's word doth say,
"is glory, that we'll know."
(Romans 8:18, KJV)

"I get knocked down, but I get up, again,"
yet not by my own try.
What worldly words of self-made sin,
that I can get me by.

The falling down and getting up
hath strength from sources two.
The self in pride hath much to sup,
but in Christ it's not of you.

"All things in Christ are made to last.
He keeps things bonded true."
All sins of life, from first to last
He's paid to make us new.
(Colossians 1:16-17, KJV)

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The reference to Chumbawumba's 1997 song, "Tubthumping"
is intended to contrast worldly tenacity with
reliance on Jesus Christ, the Lord.
The first has a short shelf-life. The second is eternal.
https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Chumbawamba/Tubthumping-Radio-Edit

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by Jay O’Toole
on October 23rd, 2025