Questions of Compassion

I had an interesting and troubling conversation with my friend Jeff last night. He was telling about a man who was just arrested yesterday for attempting to set up sexual encounters with minors.(The Story) Apparently this individual has a very successful ministry that specializes in helping young men. He also has a previous record of conviction for child pornography etc.



I help but wonder what would have happened if I as a troubled, angry teenager had come into the company of an individual such as this. How would my life have changed? I thank God that he was still watching over me even when I didn’t know or accept him. I thank him that he did not allow me to fall into the company someone like this.

This also presents me with another question. How does one deal with someone like this? Obviously you cannot let him anywhere near children. But outside of that how do we deal with him as a person. How does one love this man as God loves him? When I hear about someone like this I really want to dispense some “old testament justice”. How does one forgive a one such as this? How does one show this man compassion, as Christ would demand? My first inclination would be to something quite painful and permanent to this man. But is that was Jesus calls us to. Hard questions.

I really struggle with the idea that God has kept me from the clutches as one such as this, and yet he still allows this man to exist like this and allows him to hurt others. I am not complaining…just struggling to understand