One More Thing

Pastor Ted Haggard was accused yesterday of having a sexual relationship with an ex-male prostitute in Denver, and buying and using crystal meth. From this world's point of view, what seemed to at one time be a leader of an "effective, productive, growing and successful" ministry, New Life Church, this leader has fallen from grace and tainted at the very least our society's view on christian culture.

In fact, just after finishing my last article, I read a news story about this whole thing on Google's news page. Here is a quote from Dr. James Dobson, another "successful" leader. Speaking of Haggard, the article states:

He has boasted of his access to President George W. Bush, and is a confidant of Focus on the Family head James Dobson, who said Haggard's downfall had "grave implications for the cause of Christ."

And here is what I am saying. From the world's perspective, Dr. James Dobson is right, the cause of Christ could be in trouble because of the sin of a powerful, effective christian leader. But my goodness, does Dobson really believe what he said? Do we as christians, as a sub culture of this world really believe that Christ is in anyway threatened by the sins of people. I mean, holy crap, that is why Jesus lived and died on this earth. For Ted Haggard's screw up. For me and my desire to smoke pot. For you and any sin or shame that you hide. Jesus left a Kingdom and got His hands filthy in the muck of our sin; because He loved us.

Listen to me. More so listen to the Spirit. If Jesus becoming sin for us, hanging on a cross naked and beaten and full of sin; if that act didn't create "grave implications for the cause of Christ," then there is absolutely no possible way that the sins of Pastor Ted Haggard could put the 'cause of Christ' into any jeprody. Don't you see? Jesus already conquered all of that sin. He already died and crucified that sin. He already has set us free, and He certainly has already completed His cause.

Dr. Dobson, statements like the one that you supposedly made piss me off. You are not able, even you, to lessen and cheapen the work of Christ and His redemption of great christian leaders who sin. Christ's reputation is not marred, and His cause is not under "grave implications." Don't you see, that kind of thinking is exactly how the world thinks. God's ways are not our ways. What concerns us or worries us or causes setbacks in our minds do not; can not come close to worrying or concerning or setting back God and His plans. We must break free from this world's perspectives. Truly, we have already been set free-we are capable of living separate from this world because of the love and power and sacrifice of Jesus.

Now we need to live it. Believe it. And quit worrying. God's Kingdom and Christ's cause are just fine.