By now most of the world and especially those in the Evangelical world are aware of the death of Pastor Zachery Tims who was found dead on August 12, 2011 in a New York hotel room. He was the Pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, Florida. The cause of death is still being investigated. Those who were close associates are keeping their mouths closed about speculations and the media hype. Those who know nothing are having much to say; however, what is there to say? Can you really judge the life of a man by the last few months of his life? What is the true measure of a good man? Can all of the good that a person does in his life be totally negated by a few wrong choices in his latter years? It seems as if some might believe that, but that is not factual. The Bible declares that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Pastor Zachery Tims’s steps were ordered by the Lord. Although he was not perfect, he (like David) knew when to repent and how to allow God to use him.
There are those who are passing judgment on Pastor Tims based upon what the media reported about the white substance reportedly found in Pastor Tims’s pocket. Most Evangelicals do not condone drugs in any way; however, some former addicts report that when going through trauma such as the very public divorce that Pastor Tims went through, it can cause periods of relapse. Only those doing the toxicology report know the cause of Pastor Tims’s death. However, what is known is that those who are in charge of mega churches are humans who are subject to error. Fortunately for Pastor Tims and many others, God is a loving and a forgiving God and He uses imperfect beings to do his perfect will on this earth.
Those who are judging Pastor Zachery Tims and others who have had mistakes in their past, have forgotten to stop by the mirror. As each person looks in the mirror, each person will realize that everyone has flaws. When an adulterous woman was caught in the very act, she was brought to Jesus. Jesus ignored them and continued to write on the ground. After a while He looked up and said in John 8:10, “Woman where are thine accusers? Does no one condemn thee? She said, no man Lord. He said then neither do I condemn thee.” The experience caused the people who turned the woman in to reflect upon themselves. In addition, whatever Jesus was writing so convicted their hearts that they dropped their rocks and left. They were ready to stone this woman, but realized that they themselves might need stoning also.
Consequently, it seems very easy to judge others when people have not taken the time to evaluate their own lives. Who is perfect in this world? Who has never done anything needing God’s forgiveness? The Bible declares that, “All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. Rom. 3:23″ Before anyone throws stones, he or she should check to make sure that his/her home is not made of glass.
Pastor Zachery Tims was a great Minister of the Gospel and he will be honored among the great Evangelists of the 21st century for many years to come. New Destiny Christian Center is a beacon of light in the Orlando area. May this church know that the work is appreciated and that many lives have been changed by the work that has been done by Pastor Tims, Riva Tims and all of the ministry teams that have been sent out to help in the various communities.
What is the true measure of a good man? Take a good look at the New Destiny Christian Center. Read the history of the Church. Surely, it will be seen that the world has lost a good man.