How's THAT for a blog title! (I've been gone way too long!)
So I don't always agree with John Piper (sorry Jeff), but I really like this quote from Christianity Today:
"So many young people are being lost to the cause of Christ's mission because they are not taught how to deal with the guilt of sexual failure. The problem is not just how not to fail. The problem is how to deal with failure so that it doesn't sweep away your whole life into wasted mediocrity with no impact for Christ. The great tragedy is not masturbation or fornication or pornography. The tragedy is that Satan uses guilt from these failures to strip you of every radical dream you ever had or might have. In their place, he gives you a happy, safe, secure, American life of superficial pleasures, until you die in your lakeside rocking chair."
Yea... what he said.
"The tragedy is that Satan uses guilt from these failures to strip you of every radical dream you ever had or might have."
I often wonder how many people are stripped "of every radical dream" they have because of past sin. I wonder how many people don't go into full-time ministry because they don't feel they are "good enough." And so, rather than fulfill their calling in full-time ministry, they become "successful" in some other field.
Now, to be clear -- all jobs are equal and all jobs can be ministry. A Christian accountant is no less holy than a Christian pastor. UNLESS, that accountant is called to be a pastor and didn't respond.
So... as a pastor, let me ask you... if you are reading this and you have sinned (which should cover just about everyone, right?); the question I have for you is how do you view that sin? Are you being beat down by it? Is it keeping you from "every radical dream you ever had or might have?"
The gospel is not about sin avoidance. Yep, it's good to avoid sin. But the gospel is this great news that a new way of living is available. A radical dream. And we should willingly, excitedly, arrange our lives in such a way as to live in that God dream.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
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4 comments:
wow. welcome back, paul!
i've never been called to be a pastor. whew, this christian accountant is safe!
nice post.
excellent post.
as i was reading, i recalled a series of messages i once heard titled "the victorious christian life". it was very much focused on the power that Christ and the Spirit give to overcome sin. what i don't remember is mention of how to handle guilt after you ask forgiveness. it's easy to say 'put it behind you and the feelings will eventually subside.' denial doesn't usually lead to healing though.
do you think we perpetuate some of this guilt? what happens when a pastor falls into sin? what happens if a pastor applies to seminary (especially a conservative one) and it's found that he/she has done something hat the church would consider shameful in the past? people in ministry are held to a higher standard, for better or worse. i'd like to hear your thoughts on this, too.
i'm also glad to see you don't agree with everything Piper says. i'm sure you have no idea which of his ideologies i take issue with. ;) no offense to my brothers and sisters who do not hold to egalitarianism.
Great post Paul! Nice to have you back at your blogging best!
That's really good!! Thanks for putting it, up.. :-) ttyl..
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