The news has been following the story of Ted Haggard, the pastor of a large congregation in Colorado.  It seems that Ted struggled with a sin in his life for quite some time, and a gay prostitute felt this sin needed to be revealed.  At first I didn’t want to believe the accusations.  I suspected it was politically motivated.  But this weekend Pastor Ted confessed to his struggle, and resigned from the Church.

            In the news Monday morning, they mentioned Ted’s “Fall from grace”.  And that statement really caught my attention.  Had he really fallen?  Does Pastor Ted no longer receive grace?  As they mentioned this, I was reminded of what Paul said in Romans 5:20, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more”.  I wonder; is it grace that keeps us righteous before the eyes of God, or is it grace we receive from Him when our righteousness stumbles and falters.

            My heart weeps for Pastor Ted because, like all of us who call ourselves Christian, there is a never ending battle taking place within our minds.  Again Paul points out in Romans 7:19 that even he struggled daily.  “When I want to do good, I don’t.  And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway!”  I think if you were to be honest with yourself, you would admit to the same struggle.  I know I fight that battle daily.  The sinful nature still exists within me.  I don’t call myself a Christian because of a perfection I’ve accomplished on my own.  I call myself a Christian because of the relationship I have with a risen Savior named Jesus.  I receive His grace not because I am worthy of receiving it, but because He has offered it to me in all my helplessness; in spite of the struggle I face each and every day.  “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us”, says Paul in Romans 5:8   Somehow I don’t think the world understands this.

            I imagine the world will use Pastor Ted for target practice these next few weeks.  It seems people can’t get enough of stumbling believers.  I get the impression they want us to fail.  They want us to show them that Christianity doesn’t work.  But for myself, when I see a brother or sister stumble and falter in their faith, I see Christianity at it’s strongest.  It is then, my friend, that the grace of God pours out unmeasured to those who have fallen; as God continues to love and discipline His children.  A Christian is not perfect but has been perfected by someone other than themselves.  It is Christ Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2).

            I mourn for those whose faith is weakened by Pastor Ted’s struggle with sin.  But I am convinced that now perhaps Ted will find the help and healing he so desperately needs.  And only God knows what will come of this dark time in his life.  But know this, in the eyes of God Ted has not fallen from Grace, but Grace is now falling upon him!

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