Can you imagine if Peter had to wait an acceptable time for God to accept him back into the fold? Picture this, Peter called down curses upon himself to deny (denounce, remove himself from, eliminate association of) Jesus Christ! He swore aloud that he didn't know the Master when his leader was being tried and ultimately killed. No record of Peter attending the crucifixtion. No word of anything but that he went fishing. He returned to his life because HE was condemning himself and not allowing for the fact that he served the creator of the universe, who knew men's failures, and even prophesied what would happen on the fateful day.

Now, here comes Jesus, appearing on the shore, to talk with his children, even telling them how to be blessed and find the fish they were toiling for. This was Peter, who forsook him and left him alone to face his fate.  Can you imagine if he told Peter, "well, because of what you did, you will need to spend 6 months toiling along side my truly faithful saints, before I will give you a chance to work again!"
That's like Jesus telling Thomas to ask Peter if he loved him, then instructing Thomas to answer Peter....it's not possible!  Jesus LOVED Peter despite what he did, and only PETER didn't see that at first!

Saints, understand that God's forgiveness and restoration is INSTANTANEOUS AND COMPLETE! It is not something you earn, or even can earn! So, since we cannot earn it, why are we held to a man's standard to prove ourselves all over again? Simple...God told us in his word, we would be given over to men to judge us. Not that they can judge our souls, but that they must judge us according to their interpretations of law and scripture so to ensure that they are satisfied of our integrity. You see, God already knows you, and already forgave you, so you are complete in Him. Unfortunately, you sometimes have to prove to men that you are who God knows you are because THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT GOD KNOWS...They are visual and viseral, and thus can only work in the limits of their imagination and knowldege.

Not to say that that is always a bad thing, but sometimes it can hinder the work God is doing or wants done. Let's try to feel things out and test them in the Spirit. If we have a true heart for God, isn't it true that God will reveal to us the truth? It would shorten the roundabout way we deal with those who backslide, or hurt us, or fail, and allow God to use them the way he wants, which (by the way) would restore them as God wants done anyway! (If a brother be taken in a fault, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness)...yes?