One Sunday many years ago, our minister stopped the musicians in the middle of a song and announced that he felt impressed by the Holy Spirit that someone wanted to make things right with God. Before he could finish speaking, his youngest son, Johnny, rushed down the aisle into his father’s arm and invited Jesus into his heart as his Lord and Savior. There wasn’t a dry eye in the congregation. Johnny was a young adult with a wife and children, and many of us had known him since he was a child. We had seen him struggle with faith and turn his back on God. Even when his wife accepted Jesus as her Savior, Johnny stayed away.
But God didn’t turn his back on Johnny. God loved him and wanted Johnny to be a part of his family. The church members had prayed diligently and fervently, along with his parents and family, for Johnny to come back to God. This was the day we had prayed for. The rejoicing in that sanctuary was like nothing I had ever experienced. For nearly an hour, people throughout the sanctuary stood and raised their hands and their voices to God, praising Him for a lost sheep that had come home.
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Sadly, I have not experienced that level of congregational rejoicing over a sinner coming to repentance again. Of course, we are happy when we see a sinner repent. We may applaud and shout “Hallelujah”. But, how often do we truly rejoice? Jesus taught the apostles about rejoicing in the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. It’s recorded in book of Matthew and Luke. This version is from Luke 15:4-10.
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Jesus tells us that the angels in Heaven rejoice over every sinner who repents. Should we not also rejoice? Coming to Jesus and accepting His free gift of forgiveness is the greatest decision a person can ever make, and all Christians should rejoice with him or her upon making this decision. We should celebrate exuberantly and weep with joy.
Last night, Sean Hannity interviewed Roger Stone on his evening television show. By all accounts, Roger Stone is a person who has made many mistakes and many enemies. But, in that interview, he testified that he has come to repentance and thanked Sean Hannity for convincing him to confess his sins and be reborn.
But more than anything else, I am grateful for God because as you told me, if I would — if I would rededicate my life to Christ, I would be reborn.
I can remember it like it was yesterday and your advice was as solid as can be. You said, God will never desert you. He will never abandon you. He will protect you if you — if you confess your sins and you walk in his way. And I’ve done my very best to do that.
Roger Stone on Hannity
Today I am rejoicing that another lost sheep has been welcomed back into the fold. Roger Stone has confessed his sins and trusted in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. This should fill us with joy and hope. And it should remind us to reaffirm our commitment to pray for our unsaved loved ones, our unsaved neighbors and friends, and our unsaved leaders. Every person needs God. Every person needs forgiveness. Every person needs to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Let’s pray for everyone we know to respond to Jesus’s offer of forgiveness and salvation. And when they come to Jesus, let’s rejoice as though the greatest thing has just occurred. Because it has.
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Susan's Reflections 