Tue 9 Jan 2007
Restoration?
Posted by tom cottar under theology
In the opening of Galatians 6, Paul admonishes 'those who are spiritual' to 'gently restore' another believer who is ensnared by sin. But to watch out, that 'you too may also be tempted.' In doing so, we are carrying each other's burdens…
So, how does that flesh out? If someone in church leadership is 'caught in sin', how are they restored? Does it matter if they are lay leaders or paid staff? How does the praxis of restoration play out in our church culture? Have you seen it played out effectively and scripturally anywhere? Yes, Jesus restored/reinstated Peter after his denial, so how does that fit in? How do we take those who have fallen into sin and help them become, again, men and women who are able to 'feed my sheep'?
There are the beginnings of a great discussion, I think, going on over at David Davault's blog.…weigh in and let's see what develops.
4 Responses to “ Restoration? ”
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January 10th, 2007 at 10:45 am
First of all love covers a multitude of sins, It has to be in love. Being on the receiving end of this, I don’t think I would have been restored if it hadn’t been for those in the church that hadn’t shown me love. Some treated me like a leper, but there were those who came along side me and showed me God’s love. I had to be accountable to a few close friends and/or pastors. With no accountablity there can be no restoration.
January 10th, 2007 at 11:20 am
“With no accountablity there can be no restoration.”
I think that is the key element. Well said.
January 10th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I definitely agree that love is an ingredient–Paul mentions in Galatians 5 to ‘not be burdened by the yoke of slavery’. And I think when we view sin as slavery, we naturally respond in love. Maybe when we view sin only as a failing or weakness…that’s when we respond in condemnation.
Personally, I’ve been on both sides…love and condemnation. When I’ve fallen, I’ve been loved by the most unlikely people. The common ingredient I think has been that they, too, had ‘fallen’ at one time in a ‘big’ way..and had been extended grace, love, and mercy.
Craig, you bring up an important thing. Accountability is key. I think you’re right. And you have to have trustworthy people to be accountable to–people who genuinely love you with no strings attached.
Shae talked me into downloading The Choir’s ‘O How The Mighty Have Fallen’ from iTunes…yes, it’s amazing. The title track opens with this:
“Like the snake who calls the lizard a reptile,
Like the chimp who calls the jester a clown,
When I tell you you oughta be ashamed of yourself
I gotta set my knees on the ground.”
It may not seem like much on (virtual) paper, but it’s a haunting thing that really pierces my heart. As a student pastor, I see adults and students alike who are pious and glib with themselves, proud of the spirituality they’ve achieved, convinced God is really proud of them.
Then they look down their piety to those who have fallen and are stumbling and crawling…looking for redemption. But instead of reaching out in love and redemption, we pass on the other side of the road…screw the good Samaritan (Luke 10), we are the priest and the Levite.
We’ve traded the scent of love for the stench of piety.
God have mercy on us.
January 10th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
It’s probably good at this point to mention that our little mantra of ‘hate the sinner and love the sin’ is not a quote from Scripture.
It’s a quote from Mahatma Ghandi, a Hindu, not a Christian.
We’ve (mis)played that card long enough.