Quote:
Originally Posted by chigayle
Unfortunately, in an organization, the organization's manual is "the bible". Not, THE BIBLE. An organization is not worried about the man or the family. Only the organization. I grew up in the UPC and have seen so many of these same situations happen through the years to good good men. At the end of the day we are all "flesh". WORRY about the ones that have TB on the chopping block == you can bet there are skeletons they have.
REAL christians and especially REAL preachers will be like a doctor and flip into "rescue" mode. That is what the church is...a hospital for the wounded. But, the church and especially organizations loose that focus. Sad, but church politics reign supreme. The wounded ARE left to die.
Let us search out Jesus' heart. For REAL. Too much opinion, and not enough scriptural foundation.
When I asked a question what does Galatians 6:1 mean to you....answers were very carnal. One person said I am all for restoration IF.....there was no IF stated in Galatians 6:1. It was a directive....ye that are SPIRITUAL, restore. I guess that (SPIRITUAL) is the problem. |
In all of the 70-odd pages of posts here, I don't believe anyone has said that there is not a place of forgiveness for the man in question who began the issue of this thread. I haven't heard anyone say he shouldn't be forgiven. There is forgiveness for sin at the feet of Jesus, with a humble heart.
And like Zaccheus, whom Jesus forgave, and then told to go out and begin restoration to those whom he had cheated, this man has a long road to follow to restore the things he cheated and destroyed. Yet, forgiveness is available ... always... But just because one is forgiven, and restoration is made, should not be a guarantee that the lost position is given back. That is up to the individuals who have been cheated, and lied to, to make that call. Not us, here on AFF for sure.
Jesus said we are to forgive our brother, seventy times seven, if he asks for forgiveness. Forgiveness is a given for all believers, if we want to be forgiven ourselves.
Forgiveness was granted to Zaccheus, yet, he told Zaccheus to also restore four-fold the things he had stolen. So... repentance, forgiveness, and restitution.... they go hand in hand.