For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Mosetsana Nkau
Is it right for a Christian to pray for the death of those who frustrate him/her?
Patrick Morales
Luke 9:55, 56
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
No, it is not right for a person to pray for another's death. Jesus makes it clear in this verse. He has made it clear in this verse, he has not come to destroy but to save.
Gary Wainwright
1 John 3:15 NLT "Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them."
To pray for the death of another who frustrates us is not biblical and such a person is guilty before the Lord of sin (murder in their heart).
Lena Wms
I am sorry, I am so confused, what has this discussion anything to do with Brother Swaggart?
Not that I am being unsympathetic to you or your issue. I do feel that it deserves space and answers. I am just wondering what does it have to do with this preacher? Did he do or say something to upset you? Are you this angry at him?
Totally confused.
Lena
Tony Flores
Jesus Christ is the common denominator in Chrustianity regardless of denomination. If you love and follow Jesus Christ all theology us secondary. As Vincent said, all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Jimmy Swaggard sinned in the public eye, Jesus would say, "If you are without sin, you can throw the first stone", then Jesus said, " I don't see anyone throwing a stone, and I don't condemn you, so go and sin no more." (paraphrased). Just like Kent said, the enemy knows our weaknesses and will destroy us if we are not close to God. If Jimmy is a true follower our God will use him again for His glory.
Ursula S Monroe
When a person is called to the pulpit they are called to serve the Lord. They will be held to the standards the Lord has laid out for them. Leaders just like the leaders of nations. See Romans chapter 8. But first and foremost they are human, sinners just like we are. Although their judgment will be harsher because the Lord has called them specifically to shepherd His people; it is His judgment not ours. Fellow pastors can, IN LOVE, show him the errors of his ways so that he can choose not to sin in that manner again but they are not to judge him. I have a plague in my office that helps me not to judge others. It says "Don't judge me just because I sin differently than you do." I deal with people daily who have done something that they shouldn't have but they are human being first and it is my duty as a Christian to show them the Lord's love and forgiveness. God will do the rest. That's what Mr. Swaggart deserves as well.
Sena Gapaise
I see myself as a worse sinner than anybody, including Jimmy Swaggert. As such I am in no position to judge him or anybody for that matter.
Everyday I continue my personal struggle with sin knowing very well that I am imperfect and for that reason God has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place. God is pure love and has promised us constant forgiveness so I continue my fight with that assurance and let other Christians continue their fight, including Jimmy, and I will understand should anyone fall and only pray for them to get back on their feet.
James Kraft
Preachers are held to a higher standard than lay people, and should be accountable for there actions. However, he seems to have repented and should be forgiven just as Christ has forgiven us.
I think, and this is my own assumption, that preachers of large congregations can become pridefull, and the Lord actually lets them fall into sin to let them remember He is still the one in control.
Of course, it does not need to be a large congregation either. It is easy for preachers to lord it over the people instead of being a servant. Then power corrupts. Just like when David sinned with Bathsheba. Sometimes the Lord will thru the people take them out of the ministry, and sometimes not. The Lord can bring good out of evil. Sometimes we have to learn we are not as strong as we think we are.
Having said all of that, my heart goes out to preachers as that and being a mother have to be the hardest jobs in the world.
Tony Flores
Sena, there is no such thing as worse or little sins or big sins for they are all just sins. Jesus as the lamb of God came and shed His blood for all.your sins, past, present and future. If you believe in Him, your sins are white as snow and He said, go and sin no more. Yes, we should pray for one and other and pick each other up when we fall. God bless you and keep up the good race until He comes for us or we meet Him in the air.
Scotty Searan
Jimmy Swaggart is a man that was called by God to be an Evangelist.
There are few ministries that has touched the world through the working of the Holy Spirit as Jimmy Swaggart's.
It is amazing how much one family has touched the world through their music. Jimmy Swaggart, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley and Linda Gail Lewis all were cousins. They also have another cousin, David Beatty, who is a preacher also.
Jimmy Swaggart's son, Donnie Swaggart and grandson, Gabriel are fabulous, dynamic preachers as well. Though, in my opinion, they have rode the coattail of Jimmy Swaggart. I do like all three of them.
The Family Worship Center has a fabulous music program. Everything they sing reminds of the old fashioned Pentecostal singing. No rock'n'roll gospel, or hip-hop gospel. Very light contemporary if they vary from Southern Gospel.
Jimmy Swaggart has Radio and TV network that broadcast programs and music from Family Worship Center. There no programs from other ministries on their networks. The Swaggart's control who they have on their network.
I have only seen two ministers who were allowed to minister besides the staff at FWC.
They have a Bible School and a Christian School also.
The main theme of the message coming from FWC is the CROSS and the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. Everything is center around this.
They do not preach motivational, prosperity or self-help doctrines. They preaching Holy Ghost conviction that make you miserable but gets you born again.
Mark Neidert
I'm with Lena Wms comment from above. What are you talking about?
Gary Wainwright
Greetings Lena,
My comment was in response to the question raised by Mosetsana above which I believed had no connection to the original question about the evangelist Jimmy Swaggart.
I agree with the other comments above in that we Christians are not perfect and we do fail the Lord from time to time during our Christian walk, just like those before us such as King David, the Apostle Peter, etc. However, if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to cleanse us (1 John 1:9) no matter the sin we have committed against Him. There are many other church leaders and followers of Jesus who have messed very badly in the Christian life, but we all have the right to confess our sins to God, be cleanse by His Son’s precious blood and be restored as His Children. The world may judge and condemn them and us for our failures, but we are united and love one another as He first loved us (1 Corinthians 1:10, John 13:34).
Praise God for His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
Scotty Searan
Tony:
According to the I interpret scripture there are greater sins and lesser sins.
According to Mark 3:28-30 Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost is an unforgivable sin. So Jesus himself was imply there are various levels of sin.
I realize that we are not living under the Mosaic Law. But Paul said in Hebrews 10:1 it was a SHADOW of good things to come. It was example of how much God hated sin and the way he looked at different sins. Ans if you study you will find different punishments for different sins. Sexual sins and murder a vast majority of time meant punishment by death. While other sins had varying punishments. I believe in God's eyes that Murder and Sexual sins are greater most other sins.
Paul also said in Hebrews 10:1 it was a SCHOOLMASTER, but we are not under the SCHOOLMASTER.
Paul gave interesting insight in 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What does this mean? I believe it means that all Sexual Sins are greater that other sins, because they involve 2 people. The act is causing both people to sin. It means every other sin could be committed by a person by themselves.
Now let's look at 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
I believe The Holy Ghost gave Paul the order of sins, when he mentions works of the flesh and different sins.
Rev. C.H. Cooper
John 8:1-11 He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Michael Harris
Dear Susan Dwyer,
Yes, I am always 'offended' in my Spirit when I see the enormous wealth and affluence of Preachers like Joel Osteen, Jimmy Swaggart, and many others. lately I see Evangelist Cleflo Dollar and his enormous wealth, and I am, once again, 'offended' in my Spirit. And NO it is not envy. I was very much 'In the World' and had a lot of money, 'once upon a time'.
JESUS rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey, and He was Rightly Glorified by the People. He could have rode in in a Chariot made from Gold, drawn by 50 white Stallion. Not so. What does that tell us about Jesus, and about these very wealthy Evangelists who say that they 'Follow JESUS' ?
I send to you my Christian love, Lord Bless, Michael.