The Road Back

[Herald]

How do you counsel a brother back to obedience, to a daily walk with God? The human condition feels a compulsion to make amends. Shame seems to a real roadblock for some. "God has put me on the shelf." Grace and mercy seem out of reach. I don't want to be one of Job's counselors with a brother who is struggling. What say you?

 

[alexanderjames]

I will not attempt to fully answer your question, as one unqualified and lacking experience. Nevertheless may I offer some words Jeremiah Burroughs' reminded me of yesterday (from his books on worship) from Zechariah -

"Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 1:3

And the words from James -
"Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. "
James 5:13-16

 

[davejonescue]

I think one of the greatest reconciliation stories in the Bible is Peter looking into the eyes of Jesus whom he denied. This Peter, the most zealous of them all got exposed when push came to shove; yet, does Jesus disregard him? No. He understood the genuine love Peter had for him, but also the frailty of the flesh, and instead of disregarding him, or de-ranking him he encourages him and look what Peter became, the leader of the Apostles. By this we see that even the strongest of us, or the most fervent of us are prone to weaknesses; but our Lord is patient and none of our failings ever took God by surprise. We may be ashamed of the things we have done, or are doing; but shame can also be a tool to spur us to holiness. A righteous man isnt one who doesnt fall, but one who when falls, gets back up again.

 

[Sovereign Grace]

The prodigal son in Luke 15 would be a good place to start, too.

 

[Stephen L Smith]

Winslow's book 'Personal declension and decline of religion in the soul' would greatly benefit your friend. Winslow is very pastoral in his writings

 

[Jonathco]

The prodigal son in Luke 15 would be a good place to start, too.

I would second this, as an excellent passage of scripture to counsel a brother back to obedience with.

 

[Contra_Mundum]

Today is the day of salvation, 2Cor.6:2, the day for repentance. Don't put it off; NOW is the acceptable time.

 

[Herald]

Thank you. These things all of you have shared help. I am often a poor counselor and feel inadequate to the task. Have a blessed Lord's day.

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

Hello Bill,

As one who is flawed, and often fails, deeply aware of my unworthiness before our holy God, I remember what the Gospel – the Good News – really is: being baptized into Christ, in union with Him, cleansed by His blood, clothed in His righteousness as with a robe, in the eyes of God I am clean, pure, holy and beloved.

We often shrink back from His presence if we do not reckon this great gift and blessing of cleansing given us (1 John 1:9), which makes us sparkle in the brilliance of our Saviour's own glory, bringing great joy to our souls. We need to be constantly reminded of this.

I think of the words of a hymn, "The only view God has of me is through the blood of Jesus."

 

[Contra_Mundum]

I think of the words of a hymn, "The only view God has of me is through the blood of Jesus."

What came to my mind were lines from the hymn, "Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Wretched"

Come, ye weary, heavy laden, lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better, you will never come at all.
Not the righteous, not the righteous--sinners Jesus came to call.
Let not conscience make you linger, not of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness he requireth is to feel your need of Him:
This He gives you, this He gives you, 'tis the Spirit's rising beam.

 

[greenbaggins]

Oftentimes it is an overwhelming sense of guilt that prevents people from coming back, either because they are ashamed to admit what they've done, or because they think they've REALLY done it this time and God cannot forgive (which stems from pride that THEIR sin is too much for God to handle). Even a repeated sin is no more difficult for God to forgive than the first time they committed that sin. Satan wants them to think it is going to be especially hard this time. That is one of his most talented lies.