Abusers are human beings. Yahweh God can forgive them. We can, too. Convicted child molesters can come to Christ Jesus the same as any other sinner. That does not mean they should get off scot-free. We are to love them ("Love one another, just as I have loved you," "Love your neighbour as yourself," and "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you"), but the Law is to serve their due punishment. Any criminal who comes to Jesus and thinks they should be released from the consequences of their crimes is delusional and quite obviously not repentant. If you truly came to Jesus in repentance, you would demand that the Law fulfill the consequences of your actions. There is no sin for which Jesus did not die and for which we cannot forgive. Christians should never pray just for the victim, but also for the perpetrator! If you cannot think of any reason to pray for an offender, then your faith is stunted at best and non-existent at worst.
RULES FOR CHILD MOLESTERS IN WORSHIP
(Borrowed from Wade Burleson)
- We have to be informed when they are coming.
- Once they step foot on the property, they have to be escorted.
- They can never be around children or walk through the children’s wing – for life.
- A photo of the sexual offender with their background and the specificity of the crimes is passed around to all church leaders and children workers.
- The photo is hung on the wall in our print room for all staff to see.
- If any child sexual offender ever violates these guidelines, the police are called.
- These guidelines are the proper consequences of their crime of child sexual molestation.