Monday, March 19, 2012

Accepting Change - Redemption and Restoration

Accepting change is not trivial, sometimes even difficult. Yet Christians are by definition a changed people. We should be used to the idea of people being changed, being redeemed from their former lifestyle. Some Christians do well with this. Others, to be honest, not so well. Maybe this is what Jesus was referring to in the parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20:1-16. 
 The other, sometimes sadder, side of this has to do with Christian brothers and sisters who fall in some very visible "serious" way (as if every sin isn't serious!). It's an old saying that the church is the only army that shoots its own wounded. Obviously, there are sins that necessitate church discipline, and there are some that do not. When church discipline is necessary, the purpose should be to correct and provide a path of restoration. Sometimes it seems like some people see discipline as excising some sort of spiritual cancer! I'll say it again ... the purpose is not to get rid of the one who has "fallen", but to restore that person to fellowship with God and His people.
God is gracious. He didn't redeem His people on a, "I'm going to give you one more chance, but if you blow it, ZAP!" basis. He redeemed us because He loved us, and His love doesn't change or diminish every time we blow it. So ... since God loves us even when we blow it, how much more should we love our "fallen" brother or sister? And want to see them restored to fellowship with God and His people?!

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