July 18, 2018 - - I Corinthians 15:10a The impact of my sin

But by the grace of God I am what I am,

and His grace toward me was not in vain.

I Corinthians 15:10a ESV

Over the last number of months I have been listening to Al Martin and his teachings on pastoral leadership. The most recent one I am listening to is on earning the respect and confidence of the people whom you serve. It applies, I think, to all Christians.

Martin notes that respect and confidence are earned over many years and can be lost in a moment of time. You invest in the people around you, depositing nickels and quarters at a time. A kind act here. Evidence of faithfulness there. And slowly, over years, as a steady, faithful follower of Christ you build a bank account filled with the respect and confidence of others. From time to time, you can draw down on that account if there is a small misstep or failing.

However, a major failing can in one moment drain your account of all respect and confidence. The people around you will no longer see you are one steeped in the grace of God. Instead there will be the lingering association with your name as one who has betrayed His Savior and His people.

Can God restore people after a major failing? Yes He can. That is the mighty grace of God shown us in Jesus Christ. However, what follows is that people will, for a long time afterwards, have to look past the failing to see the goodness of God. It takes such a long time to rebuild respect and confidence.

And I do pray that those who have experienced a major fall and scandal will find refuge in the arms of Jesus. May it be that the Spirit will empower such people with the strength to know how long and deep and high and wide is the Father's love shown to us in Christ and that his love be so sustaining it can withstand the withering criticism and cruel stares.

Are you willing to discredit the name of God for a fleeting pleasure? I pray that the Spirit in you cries out: No! Are you willing to attach to the Name of Jesus to your scandal? A thousand times "NO"! May God's good Name be praised by what we choose to do and by the things we will not do. May it always be our theme and our testimony: It is by the grace of God shown me in Christ that I am what I am and His grace toward me was not in vain!

Jesus, may Your grace rule in us hour by hour. Let Your Spirit control all we do and say. Let us be a community of people who disdain wickedness because of the grace of Christ and turn from sin because of love for Him. Spirit of the Living God, help us to warn those heading into the clutches of temptation and vice. God our Father, when, in Your goodness You snatch someone from the fiery trial of sins of their own making, may we, as the family of God, be firm and faithful in the steps of restoration. May we in all situations be able to proclaim: by the grace of God I am what I am. In our homes, in our work and in our play may Your Name be praised. Amen.