John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
This passage of scripture teaches us of the completeness of God's forgiveness as was exemplified in the experience of Peter. On this occasion, Peter was feeling very low, as opposed to his former estimation of himself, because the episode which unfolded at the trial of Christ revealed to him, things he did not know about himself. Prior to this he had thought of himself as being capable to withstand the fierce assaults of the evil one, and it was for this reason that Christ bade him pray, so that he would not enter into temptation. But like so many of us, his pride was wounded at the caution of Christ, and instead of accepting Jesus' assessment of him, he instead reaffirmed his self-confidence in being able to withstand temptation.
But after his denial of Christ with cursing and swearing, he went out of the judgment hall and wept bitterly, for he then saw as never before that he had nothing of which to boast over his fellows. His confession and repentance was heartfelt and deep, which then prepared him for the additional stages of forgiveness and reinstatement. In the passage above, Jesus asked Peter three times to reaffirm his love and commitment to Him, and this was done in order to parallel the number of times his denial was voiced. Thus, after having renewed his vows to love and serve Christ, he was then reinstated to his former position, and was even granted the privilege of feeding the lambs and sheep who would comprise the new church Christ had established.
This last act of reinstatement is very important for us to observe, for there are times when a brother or sister in the church may have fallen into sin, and forgiveness may be granted, but the last stage of reinstatement is put on hold for weeks or months or even years in some cases. Then again there have been instances where because of church politics, those who wield authority have been forgiven and reinstated much sooner than the ordinary church member who has committed the same sin. These things ought not to be, for they bring the displeasure of God upon the church.
Whenever a fellow member has fallen into sin, those who are rooted and grounded in Christ should immediately seek out the tempted one, once the issue has come to their knowledge, and in so doing, great care must be exercised lest they add to the burden of guilt and despair the wounded soul is already suffering under. It is worthy of note that in His forgiveness and reinstatement of Peter, Christ never once mentioned the actual sin, for this was already acknowledged by Peter, and the only reason why his reinstatement was done in the presence of the other disciples, is because the cause of Christ was wounded in a public manner.
When a member has fallen into sin of a private nature, it should be kept as private as possible, and the temptation to cause any further embarrassment should be resolutely taken off the table. The same principle rings true of children who have done wrong, for the parents should keep it as quiet as possible and not try to embarrass the child into confession in public. This mode of thought and action is not merely a suggestion, it is a positive instruction given us by God through the apostle James. Let's read:
James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Let us then as the servants of Christ, be careful to incorporate the aspect of reinstatement into our forgiving of others, for the sooner the hurt could be mended, the stronger the ties of brotherly love will be made evident, and this willingness to forgive, forget, and move on will serve as a bulwark against the incursions of satan, by which he often seeks to stir up a root of bitterness between ourselves. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which again demonstrates the forgiveness and reinstatement God grants to His children, and it is His will that we as Christians follow in His footsteps. Let's read:
2nd Chronicles 33:11 Wherefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God.
May we be willing to do as Jesus does, for it is because of His willingness to forgive and reinstate, why we are all here. God bless!