Is There Hope For John Edwards?
I read THIS article on Saturday in Time about John Edwards. Wow, could there be a more hated dude in America these days? I mean Tiger’s got nothing on this guy. According to Time…
There’s unpopular, there’s widely loathed, there’s despised, and then there’s John Edwards. Americans are a tolerant people, but they have a line, and evidently, when you cheat on your cancer-stricken wife, lie about it to everyone while running for president, and then decline to acknowledge fathering a love child for two years, you’ve crossed it. Given the towering stack of strikes against him, can Edwards resume any kind of public life? Short of curing his wife’s cancer, is there anything he could do to get people to at least tolerate him?
We’re not part of this Jesus community because we’re…
successful
powerful
beautiful
rich
talented.
While those things may be important in your world they don’t mean squat in Jesus’ community. I’m a part of this community because I’m a sinner.
Recovering sinner? Yes
Transformed sinner? Yes
Forgiven sinner? Yes
But still a sinner.
Is there anyone in your life you’ve given up on lately?
Thank you. That touched me. I have to go make a phone call to a family member now. Pray that God speaks and not me.
.-= Michael Perkins´s last blog ..Butterflies =-.
Praying it goes well Michael. Even if it doesn’t it sounds like you’re doing the right thing.
No… I believe that anything is possible!!
Yes and no. Lord knows I don’t want to give up on my friend but at the same time, I just don’t know how I can continue to try to ‘save’ him. Lol. He knows Jesus. He’s ‘saved.’ Heck, if it wasn’t for this friend, I wouldn’t have found the church I’m at now. (Well, I probably would have. It just would have taken longer to get there.) I just feel this responsibility for him. Does that make sense?
I’m praying that it is less of me giving up on him than it is me giving him up to God and saying, “God, I need you to protect him, guide him because I can’t.”
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Swimming Thoughts… =-.
i’m redeemed. i’m BEING sanctified. i err and sin, just like edwards. as the cliche says, i WAS a “sinner saved by grace” but NOW i’m saved and so are you.
just a language correction.
Yeah Pete, I HAD given up on my Dad a long time ago and even found it tough to pray for him anymore. Due to recent conversations it has rekindled my hope in what God can do. My father had never even acknowledged his grandkids, let alone, that I even had two sons nor did he ask how they were, EVER. It was always about him and that’s that. He was always a very WOE IS ME type of guy and very overcome by various addictions. Super talented musician, loved animals and some times people, but just didn’t love himself. I’ve never seen any change in him over 20 years……..UNTIL, this past month. We had began talking once a week, now that he has a phone, and only after the 4th call, and with me not telling him how to live his life, he has written me a letter asking about the boys and has mentioned on the phone that he’s so proud of me and he loves me very much. This truly has made my decade. For most, this wouldn’t mean a thing, but for me this means EVERYTHING and show that God can change what we think is the impossible. My Dad is still living his same life, that I know of, on the outside, but for the first time in 20 years I’m seeing his life changing from the inside.
You’re right Pete, it’s not about being powerful, beautiful, rich or talented, it’s about your character and I’m seeing that happen and transform right before my eyes, in my once hopeless man I call, father.
Sorry for the long post!
I’m so happy for you Daniel! I pray the restoration continues.
in other words, you are not a sinner.
Hatred. Judgement. Negativity.
What happened to grace, forgiveness and cheering for those who need it regardless of their faults or their position in life (homeless to stripper to politician – everyone is His child) for the greater good of God.
Oh wait, that doesn’t sell magazines. MY BAD!
.-= Molly´s last blog ..Digital Mom Review: POKEN =-.
Yes, there’s some people our family has given up on for the time being. We’ve forgiven them but it’s not good for our children to have them around right now. Do I think someday that could be restored? Absolutely. For now, we have to keep them in the “given up” category…with a hopeful, watchful eye.
.-= Jason´s last blog ..31 Days in Proverbs Day 27: Coming up tomorrow… =-.
I’ve totally given up on my boss. What I’ve come to realize is I’ve given up on any sort of grace when it comes to him. I’m constantly angry, frustrated, and arrogant when I deal with him. I have a chip on my shoulder before he’s anywhere in the vicinity. I need to set my mind to praying for him and giving him the grace he deserves. Thanks for a great post, Pete!
Isn’t there always hope for people? The difference is if we let the hope live?
I have a question for you Pete: what if you’ve given up on someone because they were damaging to you? Is that giving up?
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..True Story Tuesday =-.
I think there are some people Sarah that are just not healthy to be around. There is a difference between drawing boundaries and giving up on someone in my opinion.
Thanks for the insight. I think there is a difference, but I think I have trouble discerning the difference.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..True Story Tuesday =-.
Thanks for asking that question, Sarah. There are only two people in my life who I’ve had to decide to distance myself from, and while I still pray for them I still wonder if setting boundaries was the right thing, or if I should have kept putting myself out there to try to help them. I think everyone struggles with this.
.-= gitz´s last blog ..Blog Peep Questions: Prayer =-.
WOW… there is alot of meat to this post Pete. How quickly we are to judge. I am in total agreeance with you, I truly believe that Jesus offers his redemption to him, just as he would with any one of us.
.-= Lauren Kelly´s last blog ..Momma’s work is done…. =-.
Pete…great post. My only question is this. Are we still sinners once we are declared saints by God? I was struck by a Giglio quote a few years ago where he said, “We are no longer sinners saved by Grace, we are now Saints who need to stop sinning.” I think a lot of times that i.d. of sinner saved by grace becomes my crutch to live up to that standard of sinner, instead of living up to the sainthood of all believers that Christ now calls me to live in.
FYI…this comment is not meant to cause controversy…just something I have been wrestling with for sometime and would love some thoughts.
Pete…Love ya bro..thanks for sharing these thoughts day after day. Hope to see you and your family soon.
.-= Trevor DeVage´s last blog ..SUNDAY NIGHT REFLECTIONS =-.
Great question Trevor! I guess it really depends on how you look at it. I think I could build a strong case for both…
-I’m a sinner saved by grace
and
-I’m a saint who needs to stop sinning.
Romans 5-8 gives us some great perspective on this subject.
Either way I know I’m totally dependent on Christ from one moment to the next.
This is so good and SO relevant, Pete. There are so many people who have made such extremely poor choices that have affected others, and I’m not talking lying about spending a hundred bucks here and there, but seriously life-altering consequences, and while it can be SO hard to overcome and to forgive, it is so important that we’re all people- we’re all from Adam’s flesh and God’s design, and He loves us all the same. He goes after the one sheep and leaves the 99 because that one is just as precious as the others. There’s no favoritism, just love. I’m going through what I would qualify as the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and while it’s painful and awful, I have to remember that the person who caused this pain in my life is still a person. God sstill loves them, and ultimately, they are suffering, too.
It is only my God who saves.
If this is the same God who waited all of eternity past plus 32 years just to save me and all of eternity past plus 46 years just to save my father, there is no one whom God is not mighty enough to save.
1 Timothy 1:15-16 This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason: that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience for all of those who would believe in him for eternal life.
.-= Joseph Louthan´s last blog ..They Joyfully Refused =-.
I am guilty of giving up. There I said it. Sometimes it is so difficult to love and accept when all the choices that others make are so self-destructive as well as hurting those that surround them.
It’s difficult. A fine line to walk.
.-= jessica´s last blog ..My Day: Finding the Holy =-.
Gave up on my dad about 10 years ago. Couldn’t even pray for him. Then felt God telling me to pray again. So I would just say,’Ok, about my dad.. just .. WHATEVER, Lord, whatever.” Saw a huge change in him, enjoyed the best relationship of our lives– and a little over a year later- he died in his sleep of a heart attack. I’m so thankful God stopped me from giving up. I would have SUCH huge guilt to deal with ya know?
I PRAY that John Edwards can get it together– not for his image- but for that wife who has been CRUSHED beyond imagination. But oh.. yes, there IS a redeemer!
I can’t even begin to imagine what she’s been through.
That no person or situation is beyond the scope of God’s redemption is a really powerful truth to me, one that has sustained me through a lot of questions and doubt.
I have a friend with whom there is some baggage, and I haven’t called her in a month. I miss her. I don’t want to give up on her. But sometimes not giving up is hard.
Thanks for the reminder that it’s worth it.
.-= Rachel H. Evans´s last blog ..Does God Speak To You? =-.
John Edwards is a good example of the sermon Pastor Furtick preached this past weekend…
“You ALWAYS reap more then you sow”…ALWAYS. And that goes for good seeds as well as the bad! So, keep planting those good seeds and enjoy what you reap!
yes, we all can be quick to judge at times. I know when I first heard of Tiger’s falling I thought…he deserves what is coming to him etc. But, then I starting thinking this man is calling out loud and clear that he is broken and needs help. He doesn’t need to be judged for his sins. He needs our support not carrying on and gossiping. Same goes for Mr. Edwards.
There’s always hope for a person while they’re still breathing.
Sometimes though I think to keep yourself healthy you have to draw a boundary and step back. Really it’s not the same as giving up on them and it usually comes with a high price to you. Tough choice.
As far as John Edwards…I’m sure he can find redemption if he looks. But I’m not a fan.
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Organizing those Recipes! =-.
WOW does this hit home!!! A friend and mine at work determined to pray for a former boss of ours. BIG in his church and yet has hurt SO many people. We were both so embittered towards him…so we determined to pray for him every day for 6 months that God would touch his heart…..and what has happened….is that God is opening our eyes to see OUR problems with him….that our bitterness from hurt may be “binding him on earth”……we thought we were praying for our old boss, yet God has been using it to shine the light on our bitterness, our hurt…..and while praying for him….end up cleaning up our act and giving it to Him for healing. Like Evelyn Christianson’s book from long ago: instead of help that person…it turns into: “Lord, Change Me!!!”
I think the only difference between us and John Edwards is our sins aren’t listed in Time Magazine. The things I’ve done and the things I’ve been forgiven for make grace so amazing. There is hope for anyone.
.-= Justin Davis´s last blog ..Public Put Downs =-.
Exactly.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Just Ducking In… =-.
I think the only difference between us and John Edwards is our sins aren’t listed in Time Magazine. The things I’ve done and the things I’ve been forgiven for make grace so amazing. There is hope for anyone.
.-= Justin Davis´s last blog ..Public Put Downs =-.
Did you think your comment was so good that you wanted to leave it twice???
You’re so right though!
How I measure SUCCESS is leaving two comments…
.-= Justin Davis´s last blog ..Public Put Downs =-.
Been studying Ruth.
God took a despised, foreign widow with no money, hope, or future and gave her a destiny.
Her character had been shaped on the altar of faithful expectation that God is a Sovereign and Good God that will provide.
We are all Ruth’s in some manner. Some of us are still in Moab worshiping other gods like Edwards, some of us have learned about the True God and have attached our lives to a person who can help us understand more about Him, some of us have actually started that journey back to Bethlehem empty-handed with just ourselves to give, some of us are faithfully gleaning what the Lord provides, and some of us are realizing His great redemption goes beyond any of those circumstances.
God is Good and Just and if a person will turn to Him, He is faithful to redeem them. Like Ruth, we will still be that former-idol worshiper from Moab but we will be known by Him who has chosen us. And He gets the glory for that.
Isn’t that somethin’?
.-= Tony York´s last blog ..Church Hunt Week 1 =-.
I was in the process of praying for someone last night when God interrupted my rant and clearly pointed the finger at me! I was asking him to show himself to this person and help them turn things around and work towards an authentic change. God then said, how about you stop punishing this person for the past and maybe help them to forgive themselves! He also said, I know you sit on the back row at church but you can still hear and I am pretty sure Pete said something about a balance of GRACE and truth! I have been sober for 6 years now and certainly expected everyone in my past to recognize the change and forgive all my actions….real ahaa moment! Thanks God!!!
Thanks man…Agreed!!! Love the Romans stuff!!!
Given up on… There are people who cross the line too many times… It’s a process of letting go, by taking in God’s blessing. We have to be wise in figuring out the boundaries and areas of trust. I think that’s why the entire body of Christ is needed. We all can love and offer grace in different seasons, in our journey of healing and then, giving.
.-= Faith Barista | Bonnie´s last blog ..Finding Your Eden =-.
In high school, I had a friend who was an alcoholic. He was also an emotional drain on me, and our friendship wasn’t really a healthy one. It got so bad that I finally wrote him a letter and said, “I give up. I’m giving up on you. But I’ll never give up on God. So I’ll keep praying for you.”
He’s said since then that those words were one of the things that drove him to finally accept Jesus and change his life.
It’s so interesting because a couple months ago, I found out that this same friend has left his wife to continue an affair with his wife’s best friend (also married). Though we’ve remained friends over the years, at this point in my life (as a married woman), it’s not appropriate or healthy for me to be that person he cries to or the person who nags him about his choices. So even though I have not said the words out loud to him, in my heart, I’ve had to do the same thing I did over a decade ago: give up on my friend while not giving up on God.
But now that I think about it, it’s not really giving up on that friend, now or then. It’s more letting go of any belief that I have control over the situation, that I can fix him or help or make it better. And it’s turning to God and trusting Him to work all things for His glory in His time.
Sorry to ramble. That’s a lot of mixed up thoughts and feelings that your post brought to mind!
Yes, but I think I have given up on ME being able to change their character and pull them out of their pit.
I haven’t given up on God. Or them necessarily. At least I think I haven’t?
.-= Lindsey Nobles´s last blog ..Fake It Until You Make It? =-.
Great point. There’s a big difference between those two.
I really needed to see this today…seem to be struggling with our 16 yo again – the same thing; different people, different year!
We allowed her to get too close to a family,(because of a boy!) then saw the disrespect and disobedience begin to flow out of her life – on the day that the oldest daughter of this said family got baptized! How’s that for a kick of reality???
Trying now to figure out boundaries, not just distancing ourselves from the family but putting boundaries up to guard our precious daughter’s heart, and the heart of our own family.
I have not felt at all during this time that I could even begin to give up on the family…that is what too many other people have done.
Thank you for the humbling reminder that we are redeemed and transformed by HIS grace!
.-= bluegoose´s last blog ..Focus Weekend!!! =-.
I just had a minor meltdown over a family member earlier today. There are definitely issues but I know I’m not handling it right on my end either…we talk a lot about setting boundaries but actually doing it is sometimes very tricky. It was good to read this today.
.-= joyce´s last blog ..The Random You’ve Been Waiting for =-.
Dude, I thought you were gonna pull a Brit Hume on us but then you pulled up short! It does come down to the fact that unless Edwards finds Jesus (forget the cure to cancer) his character can never be restored. Forgiveness is tough, especially when we don’t think the other person doesn’t deserve it. Or if we didn’t do anything wrong.
In 1989 I was on a Search and Rescue team that found a young girl who had been raped and murdered. I will never forget those images as long as I live. A few years later, I had to face the killer in a courtroom. I hated that man. Because of him I had extreme nightmares and anger toward him burned inside me. It wasn’t until 5 years ago that I wrote a letter to him (he is on death row) and asked him for forgiveness. I never received a response from him, but I was released. I also came to the realization that I needed to pray for his salvation. He is not too far beyond what God can forgive.
Just my thoughts.
That’s powerful Eldon.
The Lord has been having me write to a few that I had held grudges against. You’re right it is a freeing experience.
.-= Bill Foote´s last blog ..What would you have said? =-.
If he is restored, then his image will follow in time.
I have to disagree that “Americans are a tolerant people…”
That line could not be further from the truth!!!! We are the quickest to judge – the quickest to abandon – the quickest to disregard others when not aligned the way we believe we should be. We judge when others look different, dress different, act different, choose alternative lifestyles (whether social, sexual, economic, etc), and so on.
In this are, Christ followers have more opportunity to shed grace and be a shining light as we have live in the LEAST tolerant place on earth.
I fear that many expect the “Lightning Bolt of Jehovah” to strike John Edwards for his many sins. I’m talking about Church Folk.
Yet, if we want to be totally honest, God is not winding up a bolt for John (or me, or you, or anyone else).
The Cross showed that God is reaching out to sinners with open arms to cleanse and heal them.
How well can we apply that concept to our reactions to other people’s sins?
Better yet: How well can we apply that concept to our own sins???
A mega-sinner, saved by Infinite Grace!
.-= Buddy Knight´s last blog ..SEXTING!What’s The Big Deal??? Part II =-.
Yes, I posted about this earlier today. Our goodness is based completely on Christ’s gift at the cross. It has nothing to do with what we’ve done or what we do in the future. You know this, I know this – what we don’t is remember.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
.-= bondChristian´s last blog ..How to expose someone’s goodness =-.
There are no “grades” of sin in God’s eyes… all sin is sin. However, there are different consequences depending on the sin. Unfortunately for people in the public eye those consequences are often compounded.
I won’t give up when it comes to praying for people, but I do know that it’s only the Lord that will really get through to them.
Thanks for the post, Pete. Sometimes it’s so easy to give up on people when they do something wrong. It’s important to know that we’re all sinners, none of us are perfect, but we are all forgiven.
.-= Kenny Silva´s last blog ..Who Are You and Why Are You Here? =-.
If there isn’t hope, then what is there? It’s not my place to judge him or anyone else. I am so glad. Judging others is such a waste of MY energy and MY time. I have a hard enough time seeing the hope in myself sometimes! Being in recovery & reclaiming my life has given me back that hope. I wandered so far off the path with God. When there was no hope, He was there. When I started recovery, He was there. When I moved 1700 miles for my husband’s job, He was there. Through the world of twitter, God has brought people into my life that I may never meet, but who are helping to give me hope. I am lonely here sometimes, but Google Reader brings me hope! What a deal! I am making friends thru the 12 step program I adhere to, but most aren’t Christians. But they are people with hope. They are people I can give hope to. In both recovery & in God.
Thanks so much for sharing Shellie. Loved hearing a bit about your story.
I learned my lesson with Tiger. I definitely bashed him early on and realized how much of a hypocrite I was being. There is only one judge. God. We are called to provide hope in desperate situations.
.-= John Alexander´s last blog ..It’s a LOVE HAITI thing. =-.
Lately I’ve given up on myself and on believing God can rescue me.
It’s comforting to know that no matter how far I feel like I’ve gone astray, there’s nowhere God’s love won’t find me.
.-= Adriana Feliz´s last blog ..…hay siglos en que predomina la sensibilidad =-.
This might be hard to believe Adriana but I don’t believe that God could love you anymore or any less than he does in this very moment.
If you get a chance read Luke 15.
What amazes me about the whole Tiger and Edwards fiasco is that most people pointing fingers are probably doing the EXACT same thing. It’s almost like a defense mechanism–”Ewww look at what THEY did!! That’s right…look at them…turn your head from me…”
This is not to discount what Tiger and Edwards have done…but the truth is…who is out there that has not done some kind of wrong?
That’s why the older I get…the more convinced I become: Christ is the only hope for this world!
.-= MichaelHolmes´s last blog ..Why service is the best form of marketing =-.
I was married for 16 yrs.Most of which her and I both were miserable. we were’nt living right. Despite our deep beliefs in Christ, we di not attend church. Drugs became a large part of our relationship. eventuially i lost my business(electical contracting) due to a severe back injury. That allowed me to obtain drugs from pretty much any doctor I wanted. my wife started to get phsically violent a over small disagreements and I had faults too. She hardly ever worked the whole 16 years. I finally could not live that way anymore. I tried to talk to her but she never listened. i wanted a clean life and to get myself back to work. She was’nt or maybe was unable to be supportive. while on face book one day I chatted with a friend from high school. it seemed she had been thru everything i had been and we could totally understnd each other, had the same dreams, and most of all could communicate. Something i never had with wife. my wife and I had talked of divorce for a long time and seperated many times. She knew I had been talking to this lady and I had feelings for her as well. I was totally honest. we finally decided to file for divorce. we had no kids or not much in monetary assets. after i filed. the lady I had communicated with started seeing one another. She has been divorced 11 years, raised 2 children well which are ages 19(lives on his own) and 17(she still is with her mom i’ll refer to as “k”). after her divorce she made some wrong decisions with 2 men she dated that both moved in with her and to put it simply , used her. K ‘s family dogged her badly to the point she decided it was’nt meant to be for her to have a relationship. for the past 8 yrss. she has’nt. when her and I really came together emotionally she said as well as I that we neither had ever had someone in our life with the same dreams and values. most of all honesty. we have been seeing each other for several months now. My divorce should be final soon. It’s been dragged out due to my ex-wife wanting money I don’t have. K knew everything going in to this relationship. at xmas i gave her a wedding set and told her it was meant as a promise not engagement. Obviously we need much more time to let this develope as well as me needing to legally have my divorce final. Just last week she texted me and said she loved me…and believed in her and I…and knew i felt the same….to smile and have faith we are going to have a good life. then the next day at bwork she lost the ring….got very upset..then found it. her boss is a VERY WELL KNOWN gospel/country singer and her husband is in country music only but very famous as well. You probably know who I am speaking of. I am under the impression this is between you and I and not published. K and I have made some very serious promises to each other. as i said the ring was meant as a promise synbol till the proper time we become engaged. her boss told her even though by finding the ring it was a sign from God that she should re-consider whether I am right for her or not. She said more to really make K feel confused. Now k has overnight went from feeling like she was “in love” with me to saying we should take sometime apart until I get my business going good and my divorce is final. I told her…she knew everything about me coming in to this. Her boss has never met me and knows nothing about me. I need k’s support purely emotionally especially now. i am very sensitive and she new that. I have my own home and have never excepted a penny from her. her other relationships had done that to the extreme. I just would like or need to speak to someone like you badly. mail back and I will give you a contact number if this is possible. sincerely and God Bless, Johnny Hancock