What about redemption, grace, and forgiveness?

I have to share something that has been heavy on my heart the past few days.  I am prepared to have some of my friends disagree with me but I must share.

I have been the first to admit that for the past several years I've struggled with the way the organized church and fellow believers behave. Not only towards unbelievers but more so even toward other fellow believers. I have been saddened by the way judgmental attitudes have caused division.  My heart aches over the lack of mercy and grace shown towards the sinner.  Because we are all sinners. ALL sinners saved by grace.  God's amazing grace.

As Mike and I watched this entire story the other night all these feelings surfaced again...



OK, so Ted openly sinned. He had a church of followers who trusted him to lead them in the right direction. But who said that just because he was a pastor of a mega church makes him exempt from being tempted to fall into sin? And what about Jimmy Swaggert? Or Michael English? Or Sandy Patty?  Didn't all of these believers fall into the temptation to sin also?  We are all human, struggling daily to turn from the wickedness of this world. It is a conscience choice to not sin or to sin.  Sometimes the lure is greater than the strength to deny it.  We are all capable to fail and will in one way or another. We are not perfect but we have a God who is and is full of love and grace and opens us back into his arms freely when we do fail.

This interview and story on TLC was extremely touching to both myself and Mike.  I found myself tearing up several times as Ted spoke of God's love.  He spoke of how we are to open our hearts to sinners and love them even though they maybe drug addicts, sex addicts, liars, or those who have committed adultery. Isn't that our job? To love despite the sin? We do not have to accept the sin but love the sinner. I commend those in Ted's life who have stuck beside him despite his down falls.  I have more respect for Ted for coming forward, for being completely honest, and for choosing to allow God to bring him back to a place of redemption through His grace.

Why is that when a drug addict who gets set free from his/her addiction and turns their life back around it's considered part of their testimony? Or the same for an alcoholic? I've seen it.  I went to church with many whom that was the case. And what amazing testimonies they have.  One of our closest friends had a history as such.  But shouldn't it be the same for someone like Ted?

Just as Ted fell into the trap of sin, so did Michael English. Many who know us know that we have a long history of following his music.  Many years ago he was on top of the CCM industry with major music success. But while touring with another group he was tempted to sin. He ultimately did and found himself in a situation where he and another member of the other group were expecting a child together (even though he was already married and had a child).  The sin caused the Christian music industry to pull his music from the shelves and many banished him for anything to do with Christian music. He went through a long line of addiction and struggle before finally allowing God's grace free him.  But he, just like Ted, openly admitted his downfalls.  He allowed God to heal the inner most parts of his heart and now he is back in ministry with Bill Gaither (one of his biggest supporters).  But all of this did not come without fellow believers making him an outcast and turning the back on him.

My question is this...to those who are so quick to judge (especially without knowing someone personally) what would we see if we shown a light on the deepest, darkest parts of their hearts?  What would we see? What would we find hidden there? I'm sure those who throw these horrible words at others about their sin have sin issues of their own that are not dealt with.  It breaks my heart. It makes me sad. If that's how I feel, how must it make our Father feel?

I just had to share this because my heart needs softened towards these issues.  I need to not feel so angry when I hear another believer casting stones at someone over sin.  I want to love as Christ loves.  I want to be like Jesus. Jesus ate with the sinners and loved on them.  He is love. And I want to be just like him.

I will close with this song that Michael English recorded when he came back to Christian music a few years ago.  I believe it sums up the heart of all sinners saved by the grace of God.