Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?
Proverbs 20.6, NKJ
It’s been a tough year. By my count, at least ten pastors in large churches in Texas – churches that generally fall under the category of “evangelical” – have lost their ministries due to public sin. Tens of thousands are affected by this. Some years ago, when the sins of Ravi Zacharias became known after he died, many Christian leaders declared that he wasn’t saved. Similar sentiments have been echoed in the cases of fallen pastors this year. But if we condemn others for their behavior, what does that mean for us? Who of us maintains a righteous standard that merits us getting into heaven? Are we sacrificing grace on the altar of fallen pastors?
The most recent pastor to fall highlighted this problem. Steve Lawson, a popular Reformed Calvinist pastor and leader, lost his entire ministry after admitting to sexual sin. In the past, Lawson has been quick to condemn those who fall into sin. He self-righteously proclaimed that someone who commits sexual sin is “not a true believer” and is “going to hell.” He denied the grace of God to others who fell into sin; now he is in need of it himself. Why is it so hard to hold on to grace on the bumpy road of faith?
At the core of this tendency today is confusion about salvation. When anything is added to the pristine offer of eternal life by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, you open a ‘Pandora’s box’ of works that demonstrate either that you are saved, or conversely that you are unsaved. Let’s call this what it is: Salvation by works. It is diametrically opposed to Scripture, which says we are saved “by grace through faith…not of works” (Eph. 2.8-9). It’s bad enough when Christian leaders fall into sin; it’s doubly damaging when we compromise the grace of God as a result!
The implicit message – God loves you and saves you if you’re good, and sends you to hell if you’re bad – isn’t just bad theology. It tarnishes the ‘centerpiece’ of Christianity, grace. Paul’s equation in Romans 11.6 is precise: If it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. In a world in which sin is encroaching deeply into the fabric of our culture, offering a ‘gospel’ that determines salvation on the basis of works is not ‘good news’! In fact, it leads to despair – and the prevalence of this ‘gospel’ is contributing, I fear, to the loss of a generation of Christians.
According to Barna Research, most young people from Christian homes who believe in Jesus Christ, then go away to college, will lose their faith. Research shows that some 70% of high school
students who enter college as professing Christians will leave with little or no faith. Even after graduation, they don’t return. Barna projects that 80% of those reared in the church will be “disengaged” by the time they are 29.
While cultural decay certainly contributes to this departure, it isn’t the whole reason. Christians have always stood against evil in society. But until recently, the church took its stand because of grace – the unwavering love of God: “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more!” (Romans 5.20). Too often, the message we are giving is not about grace, but works. That isn’t good news…and I suspect young people are gagging on it today.
Walking by faith in the Christian life is not easy. For every believer, that road may get “bumpy” at times. When a brother or sister in Christ stumbles or falls in sin, let’s “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal. 6.1), and in so doing, magnify the wonder of God’s grace.