His acute fear was being confronted for having run the first day he saw battle. But Henry Fleming in The Red Badge of Courage was warmly welcomed. There was no mocking derision for his cowardice. His poor lies were accepted easy enough. Why?
Because any body was valuable. So what if he ran the first day? He would be valuable the second day, so his comrades didn’t bother with his inconsistent excuses. In fact, on the second day, Henry led the charge. He proved his courage, his manhood.
That’s the way people should be received back into the church. It matters not under what howling circumstances they left. They may have disgraced grace itself, but we shouldn’t scowl. Open arms is what is needed. Why?
Because any body is valuable in the war against Satan.
And because it takes courage to go back to the place of your failure.
Mustard Seed Budget 
Thank God that one’s failure is not the end of the story. God turns things around when we return to him. He makes champions out of the fearful such as Gideon. What an amazing God to turn defeat to victory.
your comment is sooooo good!
🙂
Amen. thank God for the backsliders. vw
yes, that is it!!
🙂
EXCELLENT point!