“The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden” (1 Timothy 5:24-25 NIV).
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).
Before we continue into the final chapter of 1 Timothy, we should stop to consider the tragic and heartbreaking situation that occurs when a spiritually gifted person in a church leadership position is discovered to have privately engaged in inappropriate behavior.
When such revelations come to light, it may be difficult to understand how God could have continued to effectively minister through someone who was secretly involved in such activities. While the frailties and inconsistencies of human nature fall outside the parameters of this brief study, the Scriptures do provide us with an explanation that sheds light on this question.
You see, the Apostle Paul makes the following observation in the New Testament book of Romans: “God’s gifts and calling can’t be taken back” (Romans 11:29 CEB). While the immediate context for that passage involves God’s faithfulness towards the nation of Israel, this verse also contains an application for those whom God has called to various leadership positions within the church.
For instance, let’s consider the example of a person who is exercising a God-given gift for Pastoral leadership while privately engaging in an inappropriate relationship. If God were to immediately rescind that spiritual gift in the face of such activity, then it would no longer be a gift. At best, that God-given ability would represent nothing more than a probationary appointment, for a gift that can be revoked by the giver can no longer be defined as a gift.
This helps explain how a person with God’s gift for church leadership can effectively minister from the pulpit even while actively engaging in inappropriate behavior behind the scenes- at least for a while. Now to be clear, God may limit or suspend the ability to exercise that gift in the face of continued or unrepentant or dishonorable behavior. We should also be aware of the Biblical admonitions found in Numbers 32:23 and Galatians 6:7…
“…take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.”
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
God’s ability to speak through those whose private lives are inconsistent with their public persona is not limited but make no mistake- no one “gets away with it” forever. The consequences always come- it’s only a matter of time.