Quitline and quitting sin

I reckon that Quitline deserve a medal.  Not only are they trying to help people to quit smoking but they nailed what the church is supposed to offer sinners too!  OK we, the church probably don’t need to be handing out nicotine patches or gum, we’ll leave that in Quitline’s capable hands, but the concept is there.

Let me explain:

 "It can take a few attempts to quit smoking"/sin.  Relapse is a normal part of the process.  If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time you say “Amen” to this sentiment!  Recommended reading - Romans 7

"You can use our service again and again".  There’s a good reason why the church meets together every week and eats some bread and drinks some wine/juice.  We need to hear again and again of Christ’s forgiveness so that we lose our taste for sin and gain a hunger for Jesus.  Recommended reading - Romans 8

"You can contact us for support anytime you need it".  Jesus commands us to meet together so that we can support each other in our times of failure and need.

"We’re here to help you stay smoke [sin] fee and we’ll stay with you as long as it takes".  Well the church has certainly failed in this area many a time (it is made up of [forgiven] sinners after all) but Jesus promises that he will never leave you nor forsake you.

As the Lutherans would say “church is for you” and so is Quitline.