Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday September 20, 2006

Most days near the end, I wonder if my writing has been in vain. Why? Simple, little or no response, yet I know from the response, small though it be, that the labor is not in vain. I also know this from 1Corinthians 15:58. Yesterday was no different. I did receive some joyous mail expressing deep satisfaction that "the dirty rotten coward that fudged on his resume was getting his due." It was as though he had actually 'shot Mr. Howard.'

A pastor friend of many years, who is upstanding in the conservative community sent a note slanted another way, that got a response the I was hoping for and it made an otherwise blah day, 'worth the living.' I removed the name of the city where his daughter attends on the premise that if you don't know, you don't need to:

"Larry, my daughter goes to that church. We've been talking about this incident. There are some questions I've got re: this. 1] Why did the man heading the personnel committee go public? This will hurt many fundamental Bible teaching churches, particularly in the immediate communities. 2] I'm reading for devotions the book of Hosea. I wonder how many churches would call a Hosea, God's chosen messenger, knowing his wife and daughters were whores? Beautiful picture of God's grace and infinite wisdom. 3] God's guidance for handling discipline problems from both Matthew and 1 Corinthians suggests that these matters are handled solely within the church by the people of God and not by the courts of unsaved men. 4] What's going to happen to the 'Rev' now? Are there any plans whereby restoration is be sought and accomplished? Pastor, writer Gordon MacDonald is a beautiful picture of what most churches/conventions should be doing, but too sadly are not.

End of the sermon."

I wrote a rather long note in reply and I am moved to tears as I thought of the 'churches' around the country that assume the posture of 'victim' instead of accepting the opportunity to demonstrate that along with their superior standards, they also accept the truth of dealing with offenders in grace which includes a plan of restoration. I have been really digging into the tiny book of Philemon. The October issue of Larry Lilly's Journal touches on the book of absolute grace.

I was amazed at my pastor friend's question, "What's going to happen to the 'Rev’ now?" This is very insightful question as it is unlikely that anyone cares. When a gifted man is found to have a flaw of some sort, those with lesser gifts line up to feast on the spoils they would otherwise never have and the church, due to failure to practice biblical restoration loses.

Vance Havner wrote to fellow preacher who was in a 'night' experience:

"When Christ was crucified there was an eclipse of the sun. Diogenes witnessed such an eclipse and wrote: 'Either the Deity himself suffers at this moment or sympathizes with someone who does.'"

I am finding the Brother of yesterday's letter and I will write, with the hope of rather than adding to his pain, of joining with him in prayer. As long as Jesus lives, there is hope of 'rising again.'

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2006 Use with credit

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