III- Case analyses of restoration to the ministry
A-
Examples of restored "ministers"
1-
David was restored to his office as king of Israel despite his sin to God and
Uriah.
The Hyles and his followers use this (including
Solomon's) as justification to their immoral acts.
Discerning disciples had no difficulty
differentiating Israel and the Church. The latter is God's heavenly people
while the former is His earthly people. It is just fitting to note that He does
not demand the same qualifications for both.
Sexually immoral ministers today might qualify as
kings. But they fall short to God's guidelines for engaging in the ministry.
2-
John Mark's action of deserting Paul is not a ground for disqualification in
the ministry; hence he referred to him later as useful.
B-
Restoration vs. reinstatement
The thing that perplexes many faithful
ministers today with regards to this topic is the issue of distinguishing
between forgiveness and restoration
to
fellowship and forgiveness and reinstatement to ministerial office.
Even the slight treatment of this subject
matter above can give a clear understanding that a fallen minister could no
longer be reinstated to his office.
Conclusion:
A
fallen minister is someone who sold his own "birthright" for a
temporary "morsel of bread" to satisfy his own biological hunger.
Though he is totally forgiven of his own sins and completely restored to the
fellowship of the saints, the Lord had technically rejected him per the guidelines
set forth in the New Testament.
He
might persist to engage in the ministry. But he is no longer a vessel of honor.
He might become successful, but his efforts are not "lawful". His
success could either be a product of the power of God's word (its pristine form
is always been powerful regardless of who proclaimed it) or a product of his
own charisma and dynamic personality and an effective machinery of management
and customer relations. Personally, I have yet to witness a church with ministers
who once ruined their moral reputations and still were able to produce a
considerable number of Christ-like disciples.
I
have known many Christ-like leaders and disciples. They are not perfect, but their
lives proclaim:
1Co 15:10 But by
the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was
not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the
grace of God which was with me.
By grace, they realized these words of Paul in
their ministrations:
2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any
thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
Col 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take
heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our
Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the
ministry;
2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things,
endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy
ministry.
For this, I admired and respected them. I am lured
to follow their steps and standards.
Prepared by His grace,
Bro. Elmer S. Lopoz
December
14, 2012
