Dangers of Being a Celibrity

I just read that Victoria Olsteen was found not guilty of abusing a flight attendant several years ago. I am glad to hear this and trust that the courts sorted out and got to the truth in the matter. I'm sure Joel and Victoria are glad to put that whole thing behind them and go on doing what God has called and gifted them to do.

While I believe the courts did the right thing, this entire situation advises me and admonishes anyone of public recognition of who we are in God's grand scheme of things.

I do not know the details, but I do know that, because of the initial incident, Joel and Victoria left that flight and had to make other travel arrangements. This had to be very embarrasing to them as they are public figures and this is not how they would prefer to be seen in the public eye. Whether Victoria over reacted or was unprofessional in her behaivor is something only God can really determine.

I have seen situations over my years where other Christian public figures have been in situations that caused embarrassment, shame and a less than Christ-like image on the Church. Dr. Robert Schuller was in an embarrassing power struggle on an airplane about a decade ago. He later did acknowledge some degree of personal responsibility.

We can recall Jim Baker, Jimmy Swaggert, Jim Jones, David Karesh and others who have engaged in things that were less than how God has called us to live. Two of these have repented and been restored. Two took a group of people with them to their deaths. Either way, the name of Christ and the image of Christianity was tarnished in the public eye.

While on the one hand, we must realize that all Christians are still human beings with needs, faults and short-comings, we must also struggle with our personal lives to see that we live in accordance with God's Word and do not do anything that would bring shame on or discredit the teachings of the Bible and what Jesus did on the Cross for our sins.

The best part of all of this is that those who acknowledge their sin can be forgiven. God even extends His grace on Christian leaders who are well known. He can forgive them and He can forgive you and me when we slip in our public Christian walk.

I pray that you will realize the Power of Jesus Christ in you via the Holy Spirit to recognize tempatation and refrain from sin. That is the greatest power we could ask for and it is a powerful witness to others around us who are still learning to use that strength or waiting to discover salvation in Jesus so they can refrain from sin's trap as well.

God bless you and keep walking with Jesus.