Don't get me wrong, this blog entry does not intend to put the blame on anyone, let alone Mr. Haggard, but I am just trying to point out a fact and looking at the entire matter from our perspective as Christians. I don't intend to pass judgment to Ted Haggard or anyone, since I am also sinful myself, but it is always good to know God's perspective in this matter.
To non-christians:
- I never deny the fact that Christians do sin in our lives. I sin a lot. It affects pastors as well as the regular born-again christians. When christians sin it has consequences (reaping the fruit of our sins) and if the christian is in leadership, the consequences can be very damaging.
1 John 1:8-10: 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. - Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of the religious leaders at that time (looking good on the outside, but very far from God on the inside) and I am sure He is the same before, now and forever. The fact that christians sin should not make us hypocrites and when we sin we ought to immediately confess and ask the Holy Spirit to empower us not to sin again. I guess in the case of Ted Haggard, he is guilty of hypocrisy and deception. I can understand that when a christian or people in general is put in a very high position in society or church, it is very hard to admit their sins first of all to God and to other people when they fall. Remember Clinton!
Matthew 23:27: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. - Christianity does not hate or comdemn homosexuals, but we believe that the act of homosexual is a sin in the eyes of God. This is not Ted Haggard's teaching nor it is anyone's teaching but it comes from the bible which we believe is the very Word of God. What we do is just to point out to people this sin and it is up to them if they want to listen or not. To suggest that we christians are hypocrite because of the fall of Ted Haggard and we should not teach what is in the bible anymore is not entirely logical if you think of it objectively. The bible is the very Word of God and its truth does not depend on Mr. Ted or the fall of other christian people. I cannot emphasize the importance of this point, that we/I don't hate homosexuals people, they are the same like me, human being created in God's image.
1 Corinthians 6:9: Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
Romans 1:18-27: 18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
- It is regretable that this incident happened, but it's not the first time. We know that we can sin, but we know that if we confess our sins God will forgive. Do it immediately when we sin and don't wait. Never let a particular sin unrepented to God before you sleep.
1 John 1:8-10: 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. - Take heart because God is in control even in this kind of situation.
Isaiah 43:13: Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"
Matthew 28:18: Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. - Do have someone that you can trust to share your deepest secret to keep us accountable in our walk with God. Yes, we should firstly be accountable to God, but I believe that other christians can play a very important role as well in this matter.
1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. - When you are put in a high position in society or church, always be alert!! Your fall could affect many others and there are large consequences need to be paid. Consider your position nothing in the eyes of God because you have died with Christ and the life you live now is for Him.
Matthew 19:23: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. - Be faithful to Jesus and His Word.
- Pray for your christian leaders
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