In recent weeks many GenX’ and Millennial believers were rocked to hear of the falling in sin of Michael Tait, one of the original members of the Christian Rock/Rap group DC Talk, who has also fronted the popular CCM group The Newsboys for a number of years now.
It is always disheartening and disappointing to hear or read of those we have seen as leaders, or that have had the privilege of being put in the spotlight or on the pedestal, in ministry in the faith crash in terms of our estimation of who they are or were.
But let it be said here, that Michael Tait is only the latest in a long line of so-called men-of-God (pastors, teachers, singers, prophets, authors etc.) to be found wanting and in the clutches of living in sin and the facade of appearances covering horrendous lies. This line of fallen ones should be a reminder to us to put no man on such pedestals of perfection and nor structured hierarchy in the ekklesia. They/we all have feet of clay and are prone to fall.
[Romans 3:10-12 NASB95] 10 as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; 11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; 12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”
[Romans 3:21-24 NASB95] 21 But now apart from the Law [the] righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even [the] righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
Great grace is needed. And, that grace is only in Jesus.
“Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits upon the undeserving. Its use to us sinful men is to save us and make us sit together in heavenly places to demonstrate to the ages the exceeding riches of God’s kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”—A. W. Tozer
When it comes to Christian celebrities falling I think it is not the fall itself or their involvement with sin that shocks and perplexes us, because we all know our own propensity to be ensnared by sin. No, the shock and awe comes from the degree of hypocrisy that kept it hidden for so long a time, and that that personal hypocrisy was most surely aided and abetted by those closest to the offender who would not confront them in love, or uncover it; all to the benefit of no one.
This speaks to a large degree of our need for open and honest fellowship and relationships with each other for our own individual protection, and the protection of the Body.
[Hebrews 3:12-13 NASB95] 12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is [still] called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
WE HAVE NEED OF ONE ANOTHER, AND ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER OFTEN… DAY AFTER DAY… if we are to stand against the deceitfulness of sin and its hardening effect on our minds and hearts. Read the context of I Corinthians 10:12-17 to consider how important sharing the Body of the Lord is.[1Corinthians 10:12 NASB95] 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.]
[Hebrews 10:24-26 NASB95] 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging [one another;] and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
The greatest wall to, barrier to, willfully going on in sin after knowing the truth in Jesus.. is to to be constantly and consistently in fellowship with His Body receiving encouragement and being stimulated to love and good deeds.
Let us NOT lift up men and place them on pedestals. Or structure hierarchy so we may be followers of men.
But, let us also give grace to those who fall and are repentant. Every time one of these authors, ministers, or Christian artists falls there is some call to erase their memory and ministry from the halls of Christendom. Remove their songs from radio station playlists, drop their books, erase their tapes etc. Again, let us keep in mind that any man can fall. Because they do so, does not mean the message of the gospel or the truth they once shared is negated. And, let us keep in mind, as an old mentor of mine used to say: “God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick! And, it’s a good thing He can, or there would be no straight lines!” Consider David, Solomon, Paul, Peter….
There was one perfect. Jesus.
Again, let us not give undue place and honor to men. Let us not follow men or put them on pedestals. They do not belong on pedestals, and there is no hierarchy in the Body of Christ beyond Jesus alone as our Head. We each follow, and are subject to, Him although united to one another under His headship (fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part,….building he Body up on love. Ephesians 4:16) Because, in the end any glory or crown any man holds will be cast before Him, Jesus, as we all bow and cry out (Revelation 4:10-11) “Worthy are you Lord to receive glory and honor and power…” So let us give Jesus alone the preeminence He alone deserves and follow and serve Him. Worshipping He alone who is worthy. (Revelation 5:11-14)
You will never be dismayed nor disappointed by keeping your eyes on Him! And in doing so you will find you will lay aside every encumbrance and SIN WHICH SO EASILY ENTANGLE US
[Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB95] 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.