14 August 2013

Day 14. A hero that has let you down.

I haven’t had a lot of heroes in my life. So this answer isn’t particularly personal, but I’ll relate the story to illustrate the point. And some of my challenge answers have been cop-outs before, so the lack of an ultra-personal answer should come as no great surprise at this point.

For much of my Christian life, I’ve listened to Christian talk radio almost as much as Christian music, or any other music for that matter. I have a short list of radio and internet preachers I consider outstanding and listen to on a regular basis, at least when time and radio programming permit:

John MacArthur – Grace to You

Chuck Swindoll – Insight for Living

R.C. Sproul – Ligonier Ministries

David Hocking – Solid Rock Radio

It is with Dr. Hocking that our story today is concerned.

In October 1992, Hocking admitted to an extra-marital affair with a member of his church congregation. He resigned the pastorate and his radio ministry. He was expected to undergo a period of counseling and repentance under the supervision of elders of his church. Whether he did so or not remains a controversial subject, but he has returned to teaching. You can read briefly about it here.

People, no matter how wonderful, will let you down. Only a perfect person can behaved perfectly forever. Only in Jesus can you find a perfect Person. Thank God he puts imperfect people in our lives that make them rich and meaningful, relationships where we find love and acceptance. And He believes in second chances. Just ask the fisherman sitting silently on the beach as the One he denied three times cooks breakfast for him (John 21:15-19).

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