For those who have once labored diligently in God’s service but have experienced a fall into sin, there often lingers a painful question—does failure erase the good that was accomplished? The weight of past mistakes can cloud the memory of victories once celebrated. A temptation arises to doubt the sincerity of previous works or to question whether the fruit borne during ministry was ever legitimate.
However, the truth remains unchanged—failure does not invalidate the genuine works done for God. The passion, sincerity, and dedication present before the fall were real, and the lives touched during that time remain affected by those efforts. This concept may be unsettling to those who adhere to a rigid, legalistic perspective, but the grace of God defies such limitations.
The Fall Does Not Nullify God’s Work
A moral or spiritual fall does not erase the moments when God moved through an individual’s life. Salvation testimonies are not undone, and transformed lives remain evidence of God’s grace at work. The reality is that even in the midst of personal struggles, God continues to accomplish His purposes.
“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29). The power that worked through a person in the past was never rooted in their righteousness but in God’s unwavering grace. To deny the legitimacy of the fruit produced before a fall is to misunderstand the source of that fruit.
A Shift in Perspective
Before failure, there is often a subtle pride in the works accomplished—taking them as a measure of personal worth or spiritual standing. After a fall, however, a different perspective emerges. What once appeared as evidence of personal dedication is now seen as a testament to God’s ability to use flawed vessels.
Isaiah 64:6 reminds that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Even the most sincere works are tainted by human imperfection. The difference is in the recognition—before failure, the focus may have been on the beauty of the works; afterward, the realization sets in that God worked despite the brokenness and imperfections.
David’s Victory and Subsequent Sin
David stands as a powerful example of this principle. His victory over Goliath was monumental—a moment of triumph that revealed God’s power through him. Yet, David’s later sins with Bathsheba and against Uriah cast a shadow over his legacy. However, David’s sin did not resurrect Goliath. The giant remained defeated.
The same God who directed David’s stone to strike Goliath’s forehead remained sovereign even after David’s failings. “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone” (1 Samuel 17:50). That victory was a work of God, not David’s righteousness. The defeat of Goliath testified to the hand of God, not the perfection of David.
God’s Work Is Not Dependent on Human Perfection
God’s ability to accomplish His will does not hinge on human worthiness. Throughout Scripture, individuals marked by sin and failure were still used to fulfill divine purposes. Peter denied Christ but became a foundational leader in the early church. Jonah ran from God’s call but ultimately led an entire city to repentance.
The focus must remain on God’s sovereignty, not human frailty. The stone that killed Goliath flew because of God’s guidance, not David’s perfection. Resting in this truth guards against the tendency to discredit the works of those who have fallen.
Resisting the Urge to Diminish Past Works
It is tempting, in the wake of someone’s failure, to rewrite history—to minimize or dismiss the good they once accomplished. This reaction stems from a desire to reconcile their fall with the victories they experienced. However, diminishing the fruit of past works risks attributing to man what has always belonged to God.
Paul’s words echo this truth: “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:7). The harvest belongs to God. The vessels He uses are instruments—flawed, yet chosen.
The Lasting Impact of God’s Grace
The enduring impact of ministry is not measured by the perfection of the one who labored but by the eternal fruit borne through God’s power. The people who were saved remain saved. Those whose lives were changed continue to walk in the light of that transformation. The enemy was defeated—not because of human strength but because of divine intervention.
David’s fall could not undo Goliath’s defeat. In the same way, the failures of the past cannot nullify the victories God orchestrated through those who now bear the weight of brokenness.
The Focus Remains on God’s Sovereignty
Ultimately, the focus should not rest on whether recognition is given to the individual but on the fact that the work was done. Goliath is still dead. The power of God that brought the giant down continues to prevail, long after the one through whom He worked has stumbled.
As Christians, the call is to celebrate God’s victories, regardless of the vessel He chose to use. Let the evidence of God’s work stand as a testimony to His grace and power. Goliath remains defeated, and that is all that matters.