9-18-17 Hate is not the answer

Another grade school teacher exposed as a pedophile abusing the same children that he was given to care for. This is a daily news headline nowadays. There are no simple or easy answers to the problem. Our first instinct is to express anger and hatred toward the perpetrator. For years I cursed and hated the pedophile that raped me as a youngster I wished that he was dead better yet that I could kill him with my own two hands. I internalized all of that hate and directed it towards myself. I became an alcoholic because of the pain and I blamed my parents for not protecting me. I cursed and hated God because he allowed it to happen to me. I destroyed other peoples lives with my interaction with them. All in the name of hatred.
No one is born into this world as a pedophile. Most abusers were abused themselves as children. The question is how do you break the insidious cycle? Sending people to counselling or to prison doesn't seem to help. It's a sickness of the soul. The only real solution is a change of the persons heart and soul through Jesus Christ. As Christians we are instructed to forgive and love the person. This doesn't mean that condone the sin in fact we are told to hate the sin but love the sinner. Our Heavenly Father has forgiven me for my sins and I have forgiven those that have harmed me and I have asked for forgiveness from those that I have harmed. Hate is never the answer. Vengeance is up to God not us. As hard as it is to do sometimes let us love one another as God loves us.

  

Matthew Chapter 18

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.