One characteristic of a grace awakening ministry deserves special attention: release from past failures. A ministry of grace doesn't keep bringing up the past for the purpose of holding it over people. There is an absence of shame. Paul addresses this in
1Timothy 1:12-14
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He
considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was
formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I
was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of
our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are
found in Christ Jesus.
You may be surprised to know that the apostle Paul had every reason to
feel ashamed. He was one whose past was dreadful: "formerly a blasphemer
. . . persecutor . . . violent aggressor." Then how could the same man
write, "I am not ashamed" (2 Timothy 1:12)? He gives us the answer here
in 1 Timothy 1:14: Grace was more than abundant. Blasphemy had abounded
in his past, but grace superabounded. Violence and brutality had
abounded, but grace superabounded.
What if it read "divorcee"? What if it read "homosexual"? What if it
read "addict"? I realize it reads "blasphemer, persecutor, aggressor."
But what if it read "prostitute" or "ex-con" or "financial failure" or
"murderer"? In a grace-awakened ministry, none of those things in the
past are allowed to hold those people in bondage. They are released,
forgiven, and the believer is allowed to go on to a new life in Christ.
Grace releases people, not only from sin but from shame. Do you do that
in your ministry/ life? Or do you make a note of those things and keep
reminding yourself when that particular name comes up: "Well, you know,
you'd better watch her" or, "You've gotta watch him." Do you give people
reasons to feel greater shame? Who knows what battles of shame most
folks struggle with? It is enormous.
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