By Pastor Daniel
 
Introduction
In recent days, the Christian world has been bombarded with the discrepancy we see happening to Christian leaders.  From mega church pastors to internationally known speakers of the Christian faith, and their fallen state – we have this question, “Is there any truth in Christianity at all?”
 
Each time a news of this sort emerged, I could not help but to have two sentiments – one of anger and sadness towards that person, and another of sober assessment that this can happen to anyone, including me.
 
From the book of Ephesians 4:1, Paul urges his readers, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called….”
 
Does right belief lead to right behavior?
When I studied the pages of scriptures, especially the writings of the apostle Paul, I recognized that many times Paul begins his epistles with the first portion with doctrines and the latter part on applications.  In other words, there is still a dichotomy of beliefs and behavior. 
 
With that I used to conclude that right beliefs would lead to right behavior.  Then when I observed in today’s world with all the news no longer being private but global, we are not spared from what is happening around us.  We then begin to doubt this statement.  Is it true that right beliefs will result in right behavior?  This recent case of Ravi has then made the discrepancy between belief and behavior wider.
 
Right belief should lead to right behavior?
As I listen to certain reflections on the case above, perhaps I should make a correction on the statement – that right beliefs should lead us to right behavior – or it must lead us to right behavior.
 
If right belief would naturally lead us to right behavior, I would think that Paul need not write the second part.  In other words, Paul is saying that it would not naturally do so, and as such one must pay attention to one’s behavior as well.
 
Like many others like Josh McDowell (one apologist of another apologist) and David Wood and yet others who have made statements on the internet, we get to hear certain truths emerging.  Pastor Ooi Kheng Boon from Bukit Mertajam Baptist Church also made similar conclusions with his seven observations that went online as well.
 
For those exposed, adhere, affected by the ministry of RZIM either directly or via the social media – a preacher that you admired greatly (of which I was one of those), listening to the reflections keep us focus on what is essential.
 
7 observations from Pastor KB Ooi, of BMBC
1. Gifting and Abilities, personality and charisma do not equate godliness.
2. With position and adulation comes false entitlement.
3. Be accountable to God and others at all times
4. The Balance of Truth and Love, Position and Posture
- Truth will be truth no matter who the messenger is.  The message must be separated from messenger. (Truth and Position)
- Truth must be spoken in love (Love and Posture)
5. Sin is a present reality
6. Look to Christ, not to any man or woman.  Faith in Christ alone
7. Pray for one another, esp. for your pastors and leaders
 
My honest reflections
I am not sure if I also should make a statement as there are numerous on the internet but my honest reflections are these:
 

• There must be a clear distinction of the message and the messenger.

We must not allow the lives of others (adversely) to dictate what I have come to know as truth.  Truth will remain truth regardless of the messenger.  Is this an excuse to the messenger?  Not at all.  Is this not tantamount to saying, “Listen to what I say, don’t do what I do?”  Not at all.
 
One must recognize the truth as truth and the message of the gospel must point us to Jesus Christ and no one else.  Many things spoken and propounded by Ravi were indeed profound and insightful.  His lifestyle does not change the truth though sadly it had tainted the truth.
 
Let us remember that God can use anyone and anything to relate his message – even through a talking donkey.  If I may be allowed to quote a biblical character (though not from a judgmental point of view and I hope my readers would understand me), we know that Solomon’s life was recorded in scriptures that he turned away from God because of his many wives.  Despite that, we do not throw away the portion of scriptures that he wrote or rather God used him to pen it down like Proverbs, Songs of Solomon and Ecclesiastes.
 
My point is that we take (in the words of Pastor Ooi), the position of upholding the truth.
 

• There must be the humility to live a life that closes that discrepancy of belief and behavior

Then my next reflection is simply an urge like Paul in Ephesians – the urge to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called.  In Romans 12, Paul appeal to us by the mercies of God to offering our lives as living sacrifice to live a life that is worthy of his mercies and grace.  To the church in Galatia, Paul entreats them to be what God wanted them to be (Galatians 4:12, 5:1) – live the life of freedom by obeying the truth.
 
This is a sobering thought that a great leader like Ravi who knows so much can still fall, what does that make of us?  In other words, let us pray for one another, for your pastors and leaders who probably have greater impact upon people, to be given the grace, the humility, the responsibility to uphold truth and to live out the truth as well.
 
I submit these thoughts with much burden and humility in my heart and urge you to always look to God and Christ ultimately.