There's no doubt about it, Satan delights in discouraging Christians by causing those in church leadership roles to stumble and fall into the sin of sexual immorality. It's a sad story that appears all too often in today's newspapers and on the television. Not only does it affect church members, but Satan also uses these events to make unbelievers even more incredulous. They're sure to ask, "How can this Jesus be so special if His own disciples don't follow Him?" Rest assured, when our words and actions don't match, we deal a blow to His kingdom!
In "Hack, The story of a fallen shepherd," author Bob Steinkamp details the fictional journey of Pastor George Willardson, from his position as leader of a successful church to his life as "Hack," a down and out cab driver. This detour in George's walk with God, which began when he started counseling a parishioner with marriage problems, took him from loving husband and father down the pathway of adultery. Hack soon found that his entire life had been turned upside down. And what's worse, the prospect for Christmas appeared to be one of solitude, separated from his family and his God. Yes, Hack seemed to be a man without hope, facing a bleak future. His foremost thoughts were that things had gone too far, and that his wife and his Lord could never forgive him.
But such was not to be the case. As with another character in a much-loved Christmas story, Hack was not beyond. hope. No, Hack wasn't visited by three ghosts who took him on a tour of past, present, and future, all in one night. Instead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit visited him during the weeks leading up to Christmas. What Hack (George) learned was that, with God, it's never too late to change. And that's the message of the greatest Christmas story ever told, the one set in Bethlehem! God sent us a gift named Jesus so that all could be forgiven. Yes, both prodigals and standers can change their ways and be forgiven. It's never too late to reconcile with God, and for marriages to be restored. And this kind of forgiveness can also lead a church to take back a pastor that temporarily became a lost sheep himself.
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 (NIV)
