The scandals that had been rocking mega churches around the world had been gaining momentum. With social media platforms news is being broadcast faster and wider, feeding the world’s appetite for sensational news. It is sad and grievous to hear of leaders in ministries that had past and present sins being exposed and the impact on the victims and the congregations.
News is always more sensational and headline-grabbing when it involves public figures and high profile individuals, especially those expected to hold high moral standards. The higher a person’s profile is in society, the bigger the mess when they fall and the more sensational the news.
There is no difference between a pastor of a mega church and a believer in a small country church. The media might not expose the wrongdoing of someone, but it does not mean God did not see or know. God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11) or have differing scales. Nothing we do is hidden from him.
Hebrews 4: 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
We are all sinners saved by grace (Romans 3:9-26). None of us were squeaky clean before we came to know him. Along life’s journey, most of us have stumbled yet His grace is always there to pick us up.
1 Corinthians 2: 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Worldly power, reputation and status are highly sought after and esteemed in this world. In contrast, Jesus made himself of no reputation (Philippians 2:7). He relinquished his social status and put aside His own personal glory and recognition. He was not concerned about how well known or popular He was or what people think of Him. He was concerned only with pleasing His Father and giving Him the glory.
Philippians 2:
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
Notice the attributes of Jesus in these verses : He did not seek equality with God, He humbled Himself, He took on the attitude of a servant, and He was obedient to the very end. The world did not exalt Jesus but God himself exalted Him and gave Him a name above every other name. It is far better for God to exalt us rather than the world. Far better to suffer in this world temporarily and be eternally rewarded. Far better to be a nobody for a short time in this world and be a somebody for eternity in God’s kingdom.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Pursue a life of holiness, in public and in private. Be connected to a family of believers that seek and love Jesus.
2 Timothy 2: 22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Xandria