What should be the measure of a work, a book, a movie, a witness or a bible study?

Should we discard the insight and vision of Mel Gibson into the passion of Christ because he got drunk and showed his racism?

Should we inform all those who have worshiped through Jimmy Swaggart’s music that they are being led by an adulterer and have them repent?

Should we tell all those led to Christ by Jim Baker and his ministries that they are hypocrites and should seek Christ again having received him initially because of the witness of a publicly documented flawed and sinful man?

Should we not accept Billy Graham’s witness or his evangelism because he was neglectful of his wife and children?

Should we abandon Gary Ezzo’s witness and biblical parenting principals because he became at odds with the elders of his church and left.

Should we throw away the useful tools and witness of Rick Warren because he has made some liberal comments?

Maybe we should not stop there… Paul said he was the worst sinner of all, we should take him at his word and reject most of the new testament. The bible says we are to not judge teaching based on how wonderful the presenter is, we are encouraged to reject teachings even from Angels or Paul if what? -If it is anything other than the Gospel already laid out through the Bible. We are to test teachings like the Bereans against the scriptures not against the frailty of man. Bottom line is that it is not people or how good they are or how bad they are but the Holy Spirit in us expressing God through us that the testimony and witness and evangelism that is valid and trustworthy. The more we think we must be perfect or Godly to witness the less we will witness and the less effective what we do say will be. The world can see our flaws as we pretend to be perfect.

We should not pretend but be honest and at the same time claim our perfection in Christ! We are perfect in Christ even as our flaws still plague us. We should be honest in the paradox. Paul did say that we should look to him as an example but not in his fleshly effort, instead in his spiritual perseverance.

The measure of whether or not God is expressing himself through these men with works of faith should not be judged by whether or not their sin is made public. Our judgment should squarely lie in whether or not their works are consistent with the gospel of scripture. Period.