This morning I could not sleep and ended up walking around the house about 4 am. I turned on the TV and watched The Jim Bakker Show. I have run across this show a few times while channel flipping, but stopped this morning to watch for a few minutes. My mind quickly brought back the memories of the PTL scandal, financial improprieties, and even the Jessica Hahn episode. I don’t know Jim Bakker personally and I certainly can’t claim to know his heart, or where he is spiritually now that he is nearly 70 years old. I did think to myself, this guy is really back on TV… I started processing in my mind whether I thought this was appropriate or whether Mr. Bakker should have gone on to live the rest of his life in obscurity. While I was making my judgment on all of this, I began to ponder the story of David. Now, here is a real scandal. Can you imagine someone causing the death of a woman’s husband so that he could take her as a wife? This was only part of David’s troubled history. A very troubled past, but God still chose to use him. Why? I am sure there were countless other people of greater morality than David that God could have used in place of him. What about the Apostle Paul? Here is a guy that was a mass murderer of Christians before seeing the bright light on the road to Damascus? With a past like that, how in the world could God find a way to use him?
Maybe there is a lesson we can all learn from Jim Bakker and other publicly visible Christians that make big mistakes. Maybe there is even understanding for a financial expert that ends up in bankruptcy, someone by the name of Jim Paris. While we all sit back in our recliners and watch from the sidelines, we all see people blowing it every day. I thank God that he accepts me with all of my imperfections. I am thankful that we serve a God that still gives us a second chance when we make mistakes, even big ones. Disgraced evangelist Ted Haggard has returned to ministry and is the subject of a new HBO documentary that will chronicle his fall from grace. This is an easy one for us Christians to be judgmental of, right? Here is a guy that was apparently involved in a homosexual relationship and illegal drugs, while serving as a pastor. I don’t know Ted Haggard’s heart, but could it be possible for him to have redemption? Could God still use him, even after his failings? I sure hope so. When God stops giving second chances, I will likely be one of the first to be kicked out of His future plans. While I don’t think that we should turn a blind eye to the failings of our leaders, I also don’t believe that we should permanently close the door on their opportunity for genuine redemption. My good friend, Marlin Maddoux, told me once that only Christians kill their wounded. Marlin, with the Lord now, helped me through many tough times I had when others stood by casting stones.
During this week of Christmas, I hope that you fully grasp the message of Christ. A Savior that came to die for us and that provides us forgiveness and love even when we don’t deserve it. Love that allows us to make complete fools of ourselves and still welcomes us back with open arms. Love that says, I don’t care what you’ve done, it is not big enough for me to stop loving you. I am thankful that we serve a God of second chances.
Merry Christmas!
James L. Paris
Editor In Chief – www.ChristianMoney.com
