Pastors Of L.A (Reality Show)

Pastors Of L.A (Reality Show)

I recently saw an interview with Bishop Noel Jones about his upcoming reality show, there he insinuated that believers were hypocrites because they still read Psalm 23 knowing that the author, King David, was an adulterer and murderer and yet they reject preachers when they discover their individual faults and public sins. I find interesting that there is always this curious tendency by preachers to desire to compare themselves to King David. This to me seemed to come across as irreverent of the scriptures, presumptuous of their own hearts, and arrogant in the face of God. Before we cast ourselves inside the shoes of any biblical character to invoke their iconic mantle upon us, let us first take into account the whole of their life story and not just selectively choose what best accommodates our preferences and justifications.

For example: 1. God said of David that he was a man after His own heart. David never said that of himself. How can we then claim for ourselves the specific grace of God's dealings with the king when we don't bare any resemblance to the image of his unique testimony. 2. David was confronted and underwent tremendous repentance. Being restored after his fall, he did not remain in his state of rebellion (Psalm51). Living under the shadow of multiple scandals, lack of accountability, and constant defiance to any questioning or scrutiny by others, presents a very different attitude than that of King David when he was confronted by the prophet Nathan (Psalm32). David experienced incredible pain, suffering and consequences as a result of his disobedience--he did not go unpunished without any guilt. Few people like to talk about the deep agony of soul, the tremendous diminishing of emotional and physical health that the king experienced. His kingdom was divided, one of his own sons rebelled against him, there was constant distress in his household, and the child born from his adultery ended up dying as a result of the consequences to his sins. Not exactly a beautiful life to have after moral failure.

How convenient for the preacher to omit this facts, David very similar to Saul is one of many kings who nearly lost it all, if not for the mercy of God. The testimony of the scriptures was not given for the justification of our wickedness neither for the covering of our rebellion. It was given for our example, so we don't repeat, emulate or duplicate the mistakes of the past lest we suffer similar condemnation. (1Corinthians10:1-13). Preachers need the same forgiveness, restoration and redemption that is offered to all fallen human beings. Yet their restitution must be first to a state of real repentance and sincere devotion to their communion and relationship with God, not to a job a title or a position in their profession of ministry. The question of continuing office, service or ministry should fall under a different category in a secondary plain, only addressed after the person has truly gone thru a transformation of character and a real rededication to their commitment and consecration to God. He that desires the office of a bishop desires a good thing but the overseers, must first and foremost, be above reproach (1Timothy 3:1-7).