Being Very Serious (Part 45)

Why do we glory in some one's failure? If there is a fault in the church world today it's how many people gloat when a man of God fails. It's so sad that we in America forgive politicians, entertainers, and sports heroes, but when a pastor falls we never let him forget his failure nor do we. If the truth be told most of us have never gotten caught doing some of the things that would bring shame and disgrace to the name of Christ. For some reason that seems to be okay because it's us. Yet when a man admits his failures and steps down from his ministry we crucify him and stomp him in the ground.

I don't believe anybody in this recent situation we are facing in Upstate SC has committed a sin unto death, so it is our responsibility to restore him with the understanding it could have been us. I really do feel sorry for those hypocritical people who just go to church to gossip or hear gossip and spread vicious rumors all week long about their pastor, staff, or fellow church members. They always seem to know the other fellows' thoughts and short comings, but are blind to their own. I pastored one church where two family members knew all the rumors circulating about people who had fallen and gladly added their own two cents worth to the conversation, but then couldn't stand to be around each other even though they were related. Now that's a sad fact to swallow.

I have seen the ones that were the loudest in church and acted the most spiritual have tongues like vipers. I have seen the most holy looking people be filled with hatred, bitterness, and a judgmental spirit. I have felt the wrath of people looking for a target to spill over their animosity on and I just happened to be the one standing in their path at the time. It's sad that when someone in leadership sins everyone throws stones at them, except when it's someone they like they want to extend mercy. It just doesn't work that way.

Where sin did abound, grace did much more abound. You may think you'll never need it, but you might when you least expect it. Casting stones is easy, but showing restraint and having a spirit of restoration takes some work. When any leader, worldly or spiritual, falls somebody is affected. No matter what they do there will be an asterisk put by their name by people that refuse to let go of their past.

What if God held on to your past and wouldn't let go? What if He always reminded you of the mistakes that you had made? What if God always clouded your future with your stumbling blocks of yesterday? You would say, "God wouldn't do that because He is God". If we are supposed to be like Him then why do we hold some one's failures over their head? Ask the woman caught in the act of adultery. Ask Mary Magdalene. Ask Peter or any the disciples that ran in fear when His enemies took Him. Jesus is merciful and forgiving so why can't we follow His example? I don't glorify sin or the sinner, but I glorify the Savior who forgives every sin of the fallen.