Forgiveness

Why are Christians astonished and shocked when someone falls deeply into sin?

IF you are a christian, then you know the truth of the thoughts that still go through your head, the wickedness, the vulgarity, the filth that all people have in their hearts and is not uncommon to anyone. Or are you completely purged of every wickedness? Are you pure in act, word, thought and intent? Then why are you surprised when someone else is not? Have you forgotten that you were once enslaved to sin? Do you excuse your sinful thoughts, deeds, and attitudes?

I believe I am like most people. I fail often in thought, word, and deed and I sin. But to be like Christ, I am to forgive those who sin against me as God has forgiven me.

Why do we revel in other's failure? Why do we whisper behind people's backs about what we saw them do or heard them say? Why are we always tools in Satan's hands and look to tear down another when they have fallen?

As I was meditating today, I was pondering different things in my mind and I began to think on this. The right thing to do would be as scripture says in Galatians:

Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted also. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. For each person will have to carry his own load. Galatians 6:1-5 (HCSB)

And as I pondered how we should treat a person who has fallen, I thought about how angry some people get when someone in ministry falls. And this led me to think of a verse that has always been a little unclear to me in it's full meaning.

My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. James 1:19-20 (HCSB)

If we apply the truth of God's word found in these two passages, then I believe we carry out the truth of God's word. Those who fall into sin do not need condemnation, but forgiveness and acceptance after they have repented. It is then that God can work through each of us to rebuild a child of God into a useful servant, because God's will for all of us is to be useful in His Kingdom. Even if it means falling into sin to be a warning to others.