Repent. Redeem. Restore: The Church’s Call to Follow Christ’s Example
By: John Swinford
Within the church we hear words like Repentance, Redemption and Restoration. But do we understand what these words mean, and do we practice what we preach?
The Apostle Paul speaks of repentance in Acts 26:20, saying, “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” So, a simple understanding of repentance is “a changed mind that results in a change of action.” In Philippians 4:8 we find, “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-thing about such things.” In essence, repentance is not just being sorry, but is about changing the way we think and the direction we’ve been walking, to follow the narrow path that leads through the narrow gate.
Redemption, means to buy back, and that’s what Jesus did on the cross, by paying our sin debt, Jesus paid the price and when we turn from the path that we were on that led to an eternity of separation and regret to follow the One who paid our debt, we are acknowledging that we are not our own, but that we are His. He purchased us out of sin with His own blood. There is nothing we can do except to accept the gift of Grace that He gives freely to all who in recognizing they are lost, and in need of a Savior and turn to Him and follow where He leads.
Restoration is the act of being restored through our faith in Christ, back to the relationship with God that He created us to have with Him. Restoration reminds us of God’s infinite capacity for mercy and love.
I wish it were not so, but moral failure in the pulpit has become much more prevalent in recent years. This certainly isn’t limited to any one denomination, but is instead a universal problem, which makes me question if moral failure is actually increasing, or if it’s simply becoming more widely known. Either way, it is a problem and it’s something that we must contend with. But how?
Too often it seems that the church approaches the problem by following the example found in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” saying, “Off with their heads!” instead of by what we find in God’s Word.
I seem to remember a man who was a follower of Jesus. Like all of us, he was just a man in need of a Savior. He wasn’t perfect and often got himself into trouble, but as his faith grew this man soon found himself being called upon as a leader. It certainly wouldn’t be an understatement to say that he walked very closely with Jesus.
But there came a time when this man of God, failed and failed greatly. Of course I’m referring to Peter, the Apostle who Jesus called to follow him and become fishers of men.
As I remember Scripture, after Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:16 records, “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” To which verse 17 records that “Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven,” And verse 18, then reveals Jesus continues by saying, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Unfortunately, we also know that not long after, on the night Jesus was betrayed, Peter denied Christ not once, but three times. And we also know from Mark 15:7, that after the resurrection, that Jesus told the women at the tomb to go and tell his, “disciples and Peter.” And of course, we know that in meeting with Jesus that Peter was reconciled and redeemed and restored by the Lord to then be used in a mighty way for the Kingdom.
When a follower of Christ has a moral failure, whether that follower is a pastor, Sunday school teacher, Elder, Deacon or simply a brother or sister in the faith, the church should come around that brother or sister, pray with that person, encourage that person and remind them of a man named Peter, who God was able to still use in a mighty way. But used only after, he repented, was redeemed and then restored.
In western culture, Christianity has become comfortable, which is not something we find in Scripture. And this comfort has lulled us into a false since of security, where we forget we are in a war! It’s a war that has been won by the finished work of Christ, but the battles continue because the enemy won’t concede that he has lost. And in battle there are always going to be casualties. And the favorite target for the enemy is the one leading God’s flock.
Pastors are always at risk of becoming a casualty. Keep them in prayer and support them. And if they do become a casualty, remember Peter and that God still used Peter, in a mighty way, and can still use your pastor as well. The ground is level at the foot of the cross and all can come. The bottom line is we are all just sinners in need of a Savior. None of us are better than anyone else and our churches must become Spiritual hospitals where the casualties can come for rest and recovery. Where healing can occur and having been restored, can return to the fight. And it is for this reason, that Redeem These Ashes has been created. To provide Spiritual care for those who have become a casualty. Romans 3:23 reminds us, “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
In Psalm 107:1-2, offers these words of encouragement, saying, “1 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those He redeemed from the hand of the foe…”
John Swinford is married to his wife, Cari, and is a father and grandfather. He serves as the pastor of Pasfield Baptist Church in Springfield, Illinois, and also sits on the Board of Directors for Redeem These Ashes.To contact Pastor John, contact him through our Contact Us page.
