In recent days, the actions of a well-known preacher have brought renewed attention on social media to the devastating reality of sexual abuse and the duty that Christian leaders have to safeguard the vulnerable. Thankfully, many people have spoken up for the victim[s]. Victims should be believed, protected, and cared for.
As I read through the comments concerning this case, I noticed another thing which kept coming up. Time and again, I saw individuals stating that the offender should just be forgotten, abandoned, and left with no hope.
Although that kind of reaction may seem understandable, it is not the attitude of Christ.
We ought to feel deep concern when children are being exploited, since such a sin is both extremely wicked and highly damaging. Nevertheless, the gospel calls us to think differently than our emotions naturally lead us. The gospel tells us that God's justice and His mercy are not opposed to one another. Both flow perfectly from His holy character.
The Bible takes the abuse of children very seriously. Jesus issued one of the Scripture's strongest warnings against those who harm children:
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:6).
Jesus made His point very clear indeed. His words serve as a warning regarding the way in which God views the abuse of children. Sexual abuse is not only a crime against another individual; it is also a violation against the holy God who created that person in His image.
For this reason, Christians should always support justice. We should pray that civil authorities faithfully investigate these crimes, protect victims, and administer appropriate punishment. Justice is not cruel; it is one way God restrains evil and protects the vulnerable.
But justice does not mean losing hope.
Although God hates sin, He also extends mercy to sinners. If God had no further purpose for this predator's life, He would already have brought it to an end. The very fact that he continues to breathe demonstrates that God is still extending mercy and opportunity for repentance.
Until God takes a person's life, we should never conclude that even the worst sinner is beyond help.
This does not mean minimizing evil. It does not involve ignoring crime. It does not mean asking victims to pretend nothing had happened. On the contrary, the Holy Bible takes sin far more seriously than we could ever do.
Jesus also taught that ministry includes even those whose actions are difficult for us to love. He said, "...I was in prison, and ye came unto me..." (Matthew 25:36).
Christ was not telling us to ignore the seriousness of someone's crimes or to remove needed boundaries. He was making it clear that no person is beyond the reach of God’s grace or beyond the scope of our responsibility to minister to those whose sins make us sick.
The gospel is not limited to respectable sinners. It is God's power to save sinners of every kind.
Victims need healing, compassionate care, protection, and people who will patiently support them through the long process of recovery. Offenders need to be confronted, held accountable, truly repent, and be willing to submit to both God and the demands of justice.
Both victims and offenders need the truth and grace of the gospel.
Ministering to an offender is not an act of excusing his crimes. It is an act of believing that God is powerful enough to confront even the vilest heart, expose sin, break the bondage of lust, renew the mind, and produce a life that no longer desires the evil it once loved.
But real repentance does not take away consequences.
Some sins have lifelong consequences. Anyone who has abused a child is therefore disqualified and unfit for any position of trust or leadership. Once someone has sinned in this way, repentance cannot restore the privileges that have been lost, and forgiveness in no way takes away the need for accountability.
In fact, genuine repentance embraces accountability.
A person who genuinely turns away from sin doesn't ask to be brought back into a position they have lost; rather, they humbly accept the consequences that God and society demand. A transformed heart doesn't aim to shirk justice but regards it as part of God's righteous order.
At the same time, we must not deny that God is capable of transforming people whose sins appear to be hopeless.
We should feel impelled to be ministers even among the most corrupt sinners, meanwhile laboring to exercise both wisdom and diligence in protecting those who are vulnerable.
We need to pray that God will bring about genuine repentance and transform the hearts of even those who have committed the most heinous acts. Why? Because Galatians 6:1 reminds us to embrace God’s heart and power to restore those who have fallen, while “considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
It by no means suggests that all sins are equally destructive; on the contrary, Paul makes it clear that every heart is capable of descending into unimaginable places when sin is tolerated and excused. We should make greater efforts to seek Christ at the present time because of the fear of where the sins of today might lead us tomorrow, since no one knows where unchecked sin might carry them.
I realize that some people will disagree with what I have written. But these convictions didn't come about as a result of reading books; rather, they have developed over the course of many years in ministry and through my own story.
For the past thirteen years, I have advocated for abused children around the world before governments, schools, and churches. I have listened to heartbreaking stories, worked alongside victims, and sought justice for those without a voice. Moreover, I write having myself survived childhood sexual abuse.
From these experiences, I have learned a lesson that has enhanced my understanding of the gospel.
Anyone affected by abuse needs the redemption that Christ provides. Victims need healing for the wounds they have suffered, and offenders need God’s transforming power to break the hold of sin. Neglecting to minister to either one leaves people trapped: one by the wounds of the past; the other by their sin.
Certainly, real repentance is essential if true restoration is to take place, and this repentance must be genuine. Accountability must be embraced. Justice must be accepted.
Similarly, many victims eventually discover that forgiveness plays a big part in their healing. This is not because the offender deserves it or because justice is unimportant, but because they have experienced Christ’s forgiveness themselves.
Forgiveness does not wipe out the consequences. It does not remove healthy boundaries. It does not deny what happened. Rather, it frees a person from letting bitterness and hatred become another prison.
God has a most remarkable way of transforming the most severe wounds into a valuable treasure of the knowledge of Christ’s presence and power in a manner which many others never experience. That which Satan meant for evil, God can use to bring about a closer fellowship with His Son and a greater assurance in His sovereign goodness.
Therefore, our calling is not to choose between caring for victims or calling offenders to repent. We are called to do both.
We should fiercely protect the vulnerable, pursue justice without compromise, minister to the broken, share the gospel with the guilty, and always believe that Jesus Christ can transform sinners.
After all, if there were some people beyond the reach of God's grace, none of us would have any hope.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
As I read through the comments concerning this case, I noticed another thing which kept coming up. Time and again, I saw individuals stating that the offender should just be forgotten, abandoned, and left with no hope.
Although that kind of reaction may seem understandable, it is not the attitude of Christ.
We ought to feel deep concern when children are being exploited, since such a sin is both extremely wicked and highly damaging. Nevertheless, the gospel calls us to think differently than our emotions naturally lead us. The gospel tells us that God's justice and His mercy are not opposed to one another. Both flow perfectly from His holy character.
The Bible takes the abuse of children very seriously. Jesus issued one of the Scripture's strongest warnings against those who harm children:
"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:6).
Jesus made His point very clear indeed. His words serve as a warning regarding the way in which God views the abuse of children. Sexual abuse is not only a crime against another individual; it is also a violation against the holy God who created that person in His image.
For this reason, Christians should always support justice. We should pray that civil authorities faithfully investigate these crimes, protect victims, and administer appropriate punishment. Justice is not cruel; it is one way God restrains evil and protects the vulnerable.
But justice does not mean losing hope.
Although God hates sin, He also extends mercy to sinners. If God had no further purpose for this predator's life, He would already have brought it to an end. The very fact that he continues to breathe demonstrates that God is still extending mercy and opportunity for repentance.
Until God takes a person's life, we should never conclude that even the worst sinner is beyond help.
This does not mean minimizing evil. It does not involve ignoring crime. It does not mean asking victims to pretend nothing had happened. On the contrary, the Holy Bible takes sin far more seriously than we could ever do.
Jesus also taught that ministry includes even those whose actions are difficult for us to love. He said, "...I was in prison, and ye came unto me..." (Matthew 25:36).
Christ was not telling us to ignore the seriousness of someone's crimes or to remove needed boundaries. He was making it clear that no person is beyond the reach of God’s grace or beyond the scope of our responsibility to minister to those whose sins make us sick.
The gospel is not limited to respectable sinners. It is God's power to save sinners of every kind.
Victims need healing, compassionate care, protection, and people who will patiently support them through the long process of recovery. Offenders need to be confronted, held accountable, truly repent, and be willing to submit to both God and the demands of justice.
Both victims and offenders need the truth and grace of the gospel.
Ministering to an offender is not an act of excusing his crimes. It is an act of believing that God is powerful enough to confront even the vilest heart, expose sin, break the bondage of lust, renew the mind, and produce a life that no longer desires the evil it once loved.
But real repentance does not take away consequences.
Some sins have lifelong consequences. Anyone who has abused a child is therefore disqualified and unfit for any position of trust or leadership. Once someone has sinned in this way, repentance cannot restore the privileges that have been lost, and forgiveness in no way takes away the need for accountability.
In fact, genuine repentance embraces accountability.
A person who genuinely turns away from sin doesn't ask to be brought back into a position they have lost; rather, they humbly accept the consequences that God and society demand. A transformed heart doesn't aim to shirk justice but regards it as part of God's righteous order.
At the same time, we must not deny that God is capable of transforming people whose sins appear to be hopeless.
We should feel impelled to be ministers even among the most corrupt sinners, meanwhile laboring to exercise both wisdom and diligence in protecting those who are vulnerable.
We need to pray that God will bring about genuine repentance and transform the hearts of even those who have committed the most heinous acts. Why? Because Galatians 6:1 reminds us to embrace God’s heart and power to restore those who have fallen, while “considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
It by no means suggests that all sins are equally destructive; on the contrary, Paul makes it clear that every heart is capable of descending into unimaginable places when sin is tolerated and excused. We should make greater efforts to seek Christ at the present time because of the fear of where the sins of today might lead us tomorrow, since no one knows where unchecked sin might carry them.
I realize that some people will disagree with what I have written. But these convictions didn't come about as a result of reading books; rather, they have developed over the course of many years in ministry and through my own story.
For the past thirteen years, I have advocated for abused children around the world before governments, schools, and churches. I have listened to heartbreaking stories, worked alongside victims, and sought justice for those without a voice. Moreover, I write having myself survived childhood sexual abuse.
From these experiences, I have learned a lesson that has enhanced my understanding of the gospel.
Anyone affected by abuse needs the redemption that Christ provides. Victims need healing for the wounds they have suffered, and offenders need God’s transforming power to break the hold of sin. Neglecting to minister to either one leaves people trapped: one by the wounds of the past; the other by their sin.
Certainly, real repentance is essential if true restoration is to take place, and this repentance must be genuine. Accountability must be embraced. Justice must be accepted.
Similarly, many victims eventually discover that forgiveness plays a big part in their healing. This is not because the offender deserves it or because justice is unimportant, but because they have experienced Christ’s forgiveness themselves.
Forgiveness does not wipe out the consequences. It does not remove healthy boundaries. It does not deny what happened. Rather, it frees a person from letting bitterness and hatred become another prison.
God has a most remarkable way of transforming the most severe wounds into a valuable treasure of the knowledge of Christ’s presence and power in a manner which many others never experience. That which Satan meant for evil, God can use to bring about a closer fellowship with His Son and a greater assurance in His sovereign goodness.
Therefore, our calling is not to choose between caring for victims or calling offenders to repent. We are called to do both.
We should fiercely protect the vulnerable, pursue justice without compromise, minister to the broken, share the gospel with the guilty, and always believe that Jesus Christ can transform sinners.
After all, if there were some people beyond the reach of God's grace, none of us would have any hope.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
