Another One Bites the Dust
Mega Church pastor, T.D. Jakes, has come out of the closet, so to speak.
During an interview with Huffington Post, a liberal publication that has promoted positions and values that are often very anti-Christian, Jakes said that homosexuals should attend congregations that affirm their lifestyles and that politics do not need to reflect biblical ethics, adding that his position on homosexuality is both “evolved and evolving.”
Jakes is yet another prominent figure in the world of televangelism and Christian entertainment who has caved to cultural pressure. Denying the explicit pronouncement of the Word of God on the matter of homosexuality, which calls it an “abomination” (Leviticus 18:22), Jakes seems to now believe that we should set that aside and find churches that fit what we choose to believe and practice. Asked whether or not the black church and LGBT community can co-exist, Jakes said, “Absolutely… I think it is going to be diverse from church to church. Every church has a different opinion on the issue and every gay person is different. And I think that to speak that the church—the black church, the white church or any kind of church you wanna call it—are all the same, is totally not true.” He went on to say that gays should “find a household of worship that reflects what your views are and what you believe,” and that each individual church should “have the right to have its own convictions and values.”
What do we make of this? T.D. Jakes has been a much-loved household name in the faith community for many years. I am one who has enjoyed many of his teachings in the past. His ministry has spanned the globe and had a very positive impact on millions of people.
Well, this is simply an example of the prophecies of Jesus coming true before our eyes. He predicted that there would be a time when there would be a great apostasy, a great turning away from the faith, and that wolves in sheep’s clothing would come and pervert the gospel and attempt to mislead even the elect of God. The Apostle Paul also wrote that there would be people who deviate from sound doctrine as a means to financial gain.
“If anyone…does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have…been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” -1 Timothy 6:3-5
That certainly seems to be the case with many prominent figures in the faith community who have much to lose in terms of money and influence if they stand against the moral decay of our time. T.D. Jakes, in fact, has a reported net worth of $150 million.
While I am not one to jump on the bandwagon to criticize someone’s income, since there are a few wealthy people in ministry who give extravagantly to fund many legitimate gospel works globally, still, when someone like Jakes caves to cultural pressure in stark contrast to what the Bible teaches, there certainly does appear to be a financial incentive to do so.
I should qualify here that true Christians do not hate homosexuals or wish them any harm. In fact, the Apostle Paul lists homosexuality as among many ungodly lifestyles that were part of the past for many people who had turned to Christ during his day. “Such were some of you,” he wrote.
“Or do you not know that the unrighteous ones will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor coveters, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” -1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Some Christians of Paul’s time were, in fact, former homosexuals, emphasis on the word, former. So while homosexuality is not an unforgivable sin, and while we as Christians are commanded to love all people, including homosexuals, that does not mean we should condone in any way things that God calls evil. To do so is to stand against God and His Word.
So what do we now make of T.D. Jakes? Well, it’s clear that he has perverted the Word of God to his own harm and the harm of many who follow him. Rather than teaching what the Bible says, that those who practice homosexual lifestyles will “not inherit the Kingdom of God,” Jakes promotes doing one’s own thing and finding a church that will help people feel comfortable in their sin, robbing them of the opportunity repent. There is much that Jakes will answer for if he does not renounce this path and himself repent.
While not every pastor will agree or be totally correct on every nuance of the Word of God, there should nevertheless be consistency and agreement with God’s Word on the major issues and matters on which the Bible clearly and explicitly makes known the heart of God. Homosexuality is not God’s will or design for human sexuality, clearly. It is a perversion of God’s perfect design, and the Bible is not ambiguous on that point. Any minister who deviates so starkly from something the Bible is very clear on makes him or her a false teacher, one whose teachings and ministry are to be avoided.
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” -Romans 16:17
Just as we are commanded to love all people, this includes T.D. Jakes and all like him. This is a man who appears to have started out well, but like so many others was pulled off course by the lure of money, fame, and power. He needs our prayers.