This past week or so, in the midst of the Church scandals, I have found myself scrutinizing my own life. Have I, too willingly, accepted God's Grace and Favor, while measuring my obedience to Him according to man's acceptable standards? We have seen, over the last week, how easy it is to convince ourselves that human acceptability is enough to satisfy God's heart. But here's the thing ... God is very precise, intentional, and deliberate about the work He is doing in us. And there is no room for compromise in the value of His Nature, nor the quality of our character. He judges the thoughts and intentions of our hearts to see if He recognizes His own in the way we carry His Name.
There have been good public discussions among the Body of Christ about the failures of Leaders in the Church to abide in their callings as Shepherds and Protectors of the Flock. It has been called to our attention, their efforts to protect themselves and their platforms and reputations. Sadly, some whom we assumed ministered in Divine Gifts, now appear to have been wolves in sheep's clothing. Others that had authentic hearts for God, chose Mercy over Justice, and added more trauma to members of the flock who were left feeling betrayed.
But in the end, Sin is sin. I don't believe God gives us a pass if our sin seems less harmful than another's. What matters is our response to our sin. God is ready to forgive us and begin our restoration, if we declare and show true repentance. No one exemplifies this better than King David. I alluded to this point in my last post ... David was an adulterer; a perpetrator and accomplice to murder; and a man who failed to become all God purposed him to be. His family was a mess, and his desire to build a House of God was denied him by God, Himself.
But David was still called by God as "a man after His own heart". God acknowledged David's sin, but also recognized that David sought to align his heart with God's; he chased after God's will in his own life, and committed himself to being obedient while demonstrating honest and real repentance. You see, God was deliberate in the work He was going to do in David when He appointed him the ruler over the nation of Israel and its people. And that's one big difference between David and some of the Leaders in our Church today. It was God who appointed David! Too often, our Church Leaders today are either self-appointed, or man-appointed, due to their ability to entertain, or speak in compelling and powerful ways. It must be pointed out that the Spirit of the Lord was evident in David's life as He fulfilled His purpose to lead David in writing the Psalms, and bringing attention to Jesus, David's Savior and ours.
Yes, David had flaws, like all of us. He sinned like all of us. But because he genuinely repented and sought to align his heart with God's, God was not through with him. He could continue His work in David and see the fruit produced by David's obedient faith. It is yet to be seen if the fallen Pastors will rise to the level of repentance and obedience of King David. Their sins cannot be mixed in with their reputations [and diminished], nor can they be glossed over. They must be dealt with according to God's standards before He can continue His work in them. It must be determined if their faith is legitimate; if their obedience is steadfast, and if they have the humility to withstand the pressure God has assigned while He works in them to restore them to His service.
The simple truth is this: If we call ourselves a child of God, there will be consequences when we sin. David shows us that even great men of faith fall in sin. And that sin damages our relationships; with those we love in this life, and with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. But our confession of sin, in honesty and humility, will bring our restoration when accompanied by true repentance. It is then that we can see the fullness of God's forgiveness -- His Mercy, Compassion and Justice. When our sins and trespasses have caused harm to another person or Believer, we must expect that God will dispense all three attributes of His Nature if it is necessary to return us to wholeness.
So, as I wrap up my time of discerning what God desires to do in the midst of this latest crisis in the Church, I am left with these final thoughts ... we should work [with and through the Lord] to leave a legacy in this life; a spiritual impact that affects eternity. We are all imperfect people, but when we sin, we can let God work in our lives to encourage others that they, too, can bear the weight of their sin, as they deliberately return to God and trust Him in all their ways. We can be like David -- chasing after God's heart; praising Him in the midst of our troubles and sin; seeking His Presence; living in fearless faith; and trusting God to deliver us out of our darkness into His Light.
And perhaps most importantly, let us forgive others their sins, trespasses, and iniquities, as God forgives ours when we approach Him with a humble and repentant heart. Let us hold ourselves accountable as we expect the Church and its Leaders to do the same. Remember, we may experience the pressure of God's cleansing and restoring work in us, but we will gain our freedom from sin by growth and endurance [in our faith]. Jesus will not leave us to bear the weight by ourselves. He will bear it along with us. Amen!
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
