"Against You, You Only, Have I Sinned"

In case you missed it: a music pastor for a church in Australia recently confessed (after being outed first apparently) to having faked cancer in order to cover up an addiction to porn. While faking undergoing cancer treatments (utilizing an oxygen mask and shaving his head etc.), he released a song called "Healer" speaking of his trust that God would heal him of the cancer. The song became a hit, making it to number 2 on the Australian charts and was released on a Hillsong album. Here is an Australian news story on the tragic story.

He apologizes for the masquerade but notice, however, what is not included in his apology:



Did you catch it?

He is so sorry for how he lied to friends and family and the people in his church, but who is it that he really sinned against? Granted, he could have made his true confession before his Heavenly Father in private, but it seems to me that such since of brokenness before the Father should have made it into the interview.

What did David say about his affair with Bathsheeba (after he was outed also we must remember): "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and have done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment." (Psalm 51:3-4).

Someone who prays a prayer like that demonstrates the reality of the faith that was hidden within them as they outwardly sinned. Believers like that can rest in the knowledge that Christ will not crush them, but will minister to them, showing them grace and restoring them to spiritual health.

In his fabulous book "The Bruised Reed," Richard Sibbes points out the actual benefits that come to the church through the failings of leaders:

Such bruising may help weaker Christians not to be much discouraged, when they see stronger ones shaken and bruised.

Mentioning Peter's denial of Christ, Sibbes writes:

The people of God cannot be without these examples. The heroic deeds of those great worthies do not comfort the church as much as their falls and bruises do.

Whether or not this leader's failings will strengthen or weaken the church remains to be seen, but a good portion of that may depend upon the sincerity of his apology and the reality of his faith.