Good morning. Several years ago, there was a couple that seemed like caricatures of those people known as televangelists. I am thinking of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker whose PTL Club was, for a time, one of the most popular cable-tv shows with a “Christian” format. I use the quotation marks because even though their television show presented faith-based messages, it later became evident that their primary motivation was not to serve Christ but to defraud Christian people. I don’t think that the purpose of defrauding people was always their intention, but that is only my guess.
They met at North Central University, a Bible College in the Twin Cities area. They married about a year later and soon set out on a career of evangelism. Tammy Faye was most famous for the “layered look” in regard to her makeup. Somewhere along the way she became more concerned with the paint job on the outside rather than the reality of what was happening on the inside. Jim, as the dollars started rolling in from their tv program, became known for expensive silk suits and for the Rolls Roice being his car(s) of choice. Sexual affairs became a part of their existence, as well as cash pay-outs to keep such things quiet. Clearly, he was far more concerned with the cash flow rather than his spiritual health. He ended up with a 45 year prison sentence, which was later reduced to 8, of which he served only 5. The couple divorced, and after his prison release Bakker continued to engage in very questionable activities, often employing the name of our Lord to seem reputable. Tammy Faye meanwhile became noteworthy for her participation in Gay-Pride marches and activities, including some problematic fund-raising activities.
Were their hearts ever truly given to Christ? It is not for me to know or to say, but I think it is possible. I think (and it is only my opinion) that they represent examples of people who stepped off the path of faith, lured by whatever our enemy could best tempt them. This is not a new phenomenon. Consider what Jesus had to say to the Pharisees in Luke 11:42-44 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
The Pharisees had taken their eyes off what was important and had been lured away by the details of religion. They had fallen into the religious trap of thinking that as long as they were upholding the precepts of Jewish law, they were fine in their personal faith. Jesus set them straight, telling them that while those details were not unimportant, they had neglected that which was far more vital: an honest and loving relationship with God. This relationship should have been revealed in their willingness to care for the unfortunate people around them.
The thought for the day is that we remember what is truly important. Remember that what is on the outside pales to insignificance compared to the reality of our inner, spiritual health. Walking with Jesus in love is to walk with God in truth.
Keep your eyes on Jesus and your faith humble, intent upon His direction. Live His love.
Vern