Today, I learned about the Caleb Flynn case. From what I understand, he was a worship pastor, as was the woman he was allegedly having an affair with while his wife was still alive.
I don’t usually follow crime cases or news, but this one caught my attention. All I can say is that I pray God would lead him to godly sorrow and sincere repentance.
While reading comments from people online, I noticed that some questioned whether Caleb had ever been a Christian to begin with. And that made me reflect on what makes someone a true follower of Christ.
Coincidentally, I have been listening to and relistening to this sermon by Paul Washer titled A Sermon That Has Angered Many: Examine Yourself. His sermon is based on 1 John 1:
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I agree with Washer’s statement:
The Bible teaches that even the most mature, the most godly Christian is still susceptible to sin. What this is teaching us is this. One of the greatest evidence is that a person has truly been born again, that a person is truly a child of God, is that they will be sensitive to the sin in their life and they will be led to repentance and confession of that sin.
Ephesians 1:13–14 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance. Hence, I agree with Washer that ongoing sensitivity to sin that leads to confession and repentance is evidence of the Spirit’s work in us and, therefore, of our salvation. According to 1 John, Christians are still susceptible to sin, for if we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar. Yet, as God works in us, His Spirit makes us increasingly aware of our sin and our need for God’s mercy through repentance. However, I would like to emphasize that I am saved not because of my ability to recognize my sins, but solely because of God’s grace through faith in Christ.
To close, I trust that it is God’s grace that this whole situation, including the exposure of Caleb’s alleged affair, has come to light. God could have taken his life away, leaving him no more opportunity to repent, but he is still alive, and I pray that he will turn to God while he still has the opportunity. May God soften his heart and lead him to true repentance. May God also use his story to encourage his fellow prisoners to come to Christ too.