Church should be filled with strories of redemption and restoration. Church is where “And once were some of you“ should be often said to God’s glory. Church is were the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers now live holy lives reflecting God’s love of redemption through His son Jesus Christ. Thus this story…
A few years ago a friend of mine made bad choices that deeply wounded family, friends, and the faith. As a result his life entered a time of wandering in the wilderness while God’s discipline did its redemptive work. Over the course of years… YEARS mind you… my friend was slowly drawn back to the place of God’s favor and blessing. Humility and brokeness took the place of pride and arrogance. Submission to God took the place of self centerdness. And as of yesterday my friend was called to pastor a congregation of God’s people on a 100% vote… to God’s glory. This is a wonderful story of healing, redemption, and restoration!
Now think with me…
Who did Jesus choose to be the leader of the 1st Century Church? Peter. What had Peter done? He had denied and cursed Christ. Why did Jesus choose Peter? I suggest it was because of his failure and being redeemed that Jesus chose him. I suggest Peter was THE shining example of what failure and restoration looks like that everyone would be able to identify with which would draw them to Christ! Redemption and restoration should be on display in the church in multiple and obvious ways.
If a congregation of God’s people are not loving, forgiving, redeeming, and restoring their own fallen… they do not have a credible message to anyone, especially the lost. If the church is not a shining example of God’s grace, it is at best a religious social club.
Pastors will make mistakes, as will staff, as will deacons, as will everyone else in a congregation. The question is not if… but when? And then will God’s people deal with those situations in love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, in order to restore the wounded (Gal 6:1)? There has been enough rubbing salt in the wounds of the hurting in church. It’s time believers quit shooting their wounded. Rather than preying on people, it is time to pray for them… restore them… and hear Paul in 2 Cor 2:5-8…
Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.
Can it happen? Yes, I’ve seen it. Does it happen? It did for my friend. The question is will we be involved in the ministry of reconciliation?