Character Matters

The sports world has been brewing with controversy lately. We’ve seen…

• Michael Vick, one of the best athletes ever, under investigation for dog fighting.
• An longtime NBA referee under investigation for being linked with the mob and betting on games that he officiated.

In both of these instances we see something that Scripture has ALWAYS proclaimed–CHARACTER MATTERS! Proverbs 26:24-26 says that who we are behind the scenes will eventually surface…ALWAYS!

What has happened in the athletic world should be a challenge to all of us who are in the ministry–CHARACTER MATTERS!

I was on the phone the other day with one of my best friends who told me of three ministers that had made horrible immoral choices and, as a result, they are no longer in the ministry. One of them had been involved in an affair for over 10 years…and the other two men were having an affair on their wives with the same woman! In all three instances it was an issue of character.

I had several reactions to this–the first was some serious soul searching. I asked myself the question, “Is there anything happening right now in my life privately that, if it became public, could disqualify me from ministry?” The answer to that question was (and is) no–but NOT because I am some saint!!! Nope, it’s God’s grace–He changed me…and if I do not purposefully stay close to Him I could fall just as easily as anyone.

The second was that of challenge…how in the world does a pastor/leader in today’s world finish well? I want so badly to, when I get to the end of my life, be able to say what the Apostle Paul said in II Timothy 4:7!

SO…I called a pastor I know who has been in the ministry for over 40 years and spent two hours with him, asking him questions about his walk with God, his relationship with his wife and child…and how he managed to give sin the Heisman. It was one of the best lunches I have ever had…and I will be meeting up with him again soon!

The third reaction was fear! Galatians 6:7-8 is VERY clear that God doesn’t play games…it ticks Him off when people pretend to be something they are not.

The fourth reaction was a serious burden for my fellow pastors and church leaders. Men and women–let’s finish well!!! This means…

• No more porn
• No more “innocent” flirting
• No more traveling alone with impure motives
• No more abusing drugs and alcohol (yes, it DOES happen in the ministry!)
• No more having sex with someone other than you spouse! The world would be such a much better place if men would just keep their freakin’ pants on!!!
• No more misusing church funds
• No more pride and arrogance so that no one can confront us of sin
• No more jealousy, causing us to do things out of envy rather than God’s call

Character matters! At the end of my life no one is really going to remember the sermons, stories and songs that came out of me…BUT…they will remember that I was faithful to Lucretia, that I loved Charisse and spent time with her, that I honored God with my finances…and that I didn’t purposefully choose a sinful lifestyle privately that disqualified me from what God has called me to!

Character matters! I am asking the question…are you who you say you are? Is there ANYTHING in your life that is happening privately that, if it became public, would disqualify you from ministry? Let’s be real! Let’s finish the race! Let’s be men of character!