Reinhard Bonnke on Spiritual Leadership failure

When a man of God fails, we often hear that nothing should be ‘swept under the carpet’ Swept under the carpet? That’s what the daily newspaper says, not the Word of God. Doesn’t love cover a multitude of sins? (1Peter 4,8) As for dismissal: discipline yes, but mitigated with mercy. Dismissal is total and absolute. A preacher is defrocked. If he had murdered, or been convicted of armed robbery, discipline could not have been worse. How does Christianity fit into this attitude? If God forgives, and does not disown us what right have we? The word for a failing brother is not to throw him out but to restore. (Gal 6,1) The Corinthian account of the man who committed incest ends with his restoration. That is our example. That is a work in itself and demands Christian love, forbearance, not an attitude of judgment and superior holiness. The true spirit of our faith is the second chance. Temptation can be near overpowering and take a man off guard. Give him time to bring forth the fruits of repentance, let his conscience do its own work, and he could be a Moses, a David, a Peter or any other man who totally let down the Lord and himself - but God used them. God bless you. REINHARD BONNKE