Lately, the news has been full of stories about celebrities and their
personal failures. A prominent politician is revealed to have lied about
an extramarital affair. A celebrated athlete admits to infidelity. Some
mornings we wake up wondering what scandal involving another famous person
will be making the headlines today.
As Christians, what should be our reaction when we hear such news? I have
been shocked and saddened by some of the statements I have heard from
those who call themselves followers of Jesus Christ. Some have pointed
the self-righteous finger of condemnation and judged these celebrities
before all of the facts are revealed. Others have used this as an
opportunity to make jokes and laugh at the moral failings of people whose
lives are so scrutinized by the prying eyes of the press.
To be honest, the bad behavior of a celebrity really doesn’t affect my
life one bit. It is none of my business and whether they show remorse or
seek to justify their sin is between them and God. Incidents like this,
however, can provide am opportunity for Christians to demonstrate the love
of Jesus to an uncaring and harsh world.
Seeing someone else commit the sins we preach and teach against can feed
our pride if we are not careful. Jesus warned and condemned the Pharisees
for proudly turning up their noses to the “outcasts” of their day.
Truth be told, we are all guilty of sin before God. We may not have
committed the same sins as others and we may not even feel the sins we
have committed are as bad. But we all stand guilty before God and are in
need of the same grace, mercy, love and forgiveness which He demonstrates
toward all who come to Him through Christ in repentance, faith and
obedience.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:8, “For once you were full of darkness,
but now you have light from the Lord”. Why can’t we try sharing some
of that light? Isn’t this world dark enough? Show others we care by
praying for those caught in the snares of sin and the ones affected by
another’s bad behavior.
Pastor Joe Wiggins 