Redemption stories for all?
ODAY'S PROVERB: Remove the wicked from before the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. Proverbs 25:5
Eventually, GOD will always reveal the wicked. Corruptness. Embezzlers. Predators.
Sometimes it feels like it takes too long for those revelations, especially for the victims. But, I wonder if it is a test to see if those "kings"--those leaders--will do the right thing. If there are people and systems in place to prevent a wicked person from abusing their power and having free reign in a righteous setting.
Living with free will is not easy. Dealing with the one in sin who is repentant is complex. However, this passage seems very clear--wickedness needs to be removed.
Perhaps this has to do with the insidious corruption to a "kingdom" when evil victimizes. When a leader victimizes a "subject" it destabilizes the whole organization. Trust is violated.
To establish a congregation, ministry, organization, or government in righteousness, we have to remove the wickedness and that means removing the perpetrators of that wickedness.
What happens when the perpetrator repents? That's a question.
And that's where we need to be prudent. Once the predator/wicked person is revealed they must be removed. Stopping the victimization of people, offices, and credibility has to be done.
Then what?
I believe we must begin with the victims. We need systems in place to counsel and support them. They need to feel safe. Ultimately, they must forgive their abusers--for their own wellbeing as children of GOD--but they can seldom do that alone.
If the perpetrator is repentant then systems need to be in place to walk them through what and why they did what they did. There must be full disclosure and a process to understand the full ramifications of the pain they've caused to others. But, most important, they need to be removed from their position of authority.
As a victim of sexual abuse as a child and of rape as a teenager, I know the long journey of recovery. For most of us, it was done alone and in silence. Nevertheless, an integral part of that healing process is forgiveness.
Even in that forgiveness, I would never allow them near my child.
These are the challenges and difficulties in our wisdom journey. We love a redemption story, where a sinner repents and becomes a better person. But we can't forget about the victims. They need their redemption story, too.
May we use wisdom for these difficult and painful situations, my friends.
Are you in an abusive situation? Here are a few links that may help:
https://
https://www.aacc.net/
Proverbs 25:5, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV, #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
Eventually, GOD will always reveal the wicked. Corruptness. Embezzlers. Predators.
Sometimes it feels like it takes too long for those revelations, especially for the victims. But, I wonder if it is a test to see if those "kings"--those leaders--will do the right thing. If there are people and systems in place to prevent a wicked person from abusing their power and having free reign in a righteous setting.
Living with free will is not easy. Dealing with the one in sin who is repentant is complex. However, this passage seems very clear--wickedness needs to be removed.
Perhaps this has to do with the insidious corruption to a "kingdom" when evil victimizes. When a leader victimizes a "subject" it destabilizes the whole organization. Trust is violated.
To establish a congregation, ministry, organization, or government in righteousness, we have to remove the wickedness and that means removing the perpetrators of that wickedness.
What happens when the perpetrator repents? That's a question.
And that's where we need to be prudent. Once the predator/wicked person is revealed they must be removed. Stopping the victimization of people, offices, and credibility has to be done.
Then what?
I believe we must begin with the victims. We need systems in place to counsel and support them. They need to feel safe. Ultimately, they must forgive their abusers--for their own wellbeing as children of GOD--but they can seldom do that alone.
If the perpetrator is repentant then systems need to be in place to walk them through what and why they did what they did. There must be full disclosure and a process to understand the full ramifications of the pain they've caused to others. But, most important, they need to be removed from their position of authority.
As a victim of sexual abuse as a child and of rape as a teenager, I know the long journey of recovery. For most of us, it was done alone and in silence. Nevertheless, an integral part of that healing process is forgiveness.
Even in that forgiveness, I would never allow them near my child.
These are the challenges and difficulties in our wisdom journey. We love a redemption story, where a sinner repents and becomes a better person. But we can't forget about the victims. They need their redemption story, too.
May we use wisdom for these difficult and painful situations, my friends.
Are you in an abusive situation? Here are a few links that may help:
https://
https://www.aacc.net/
Proverbs 25:5, Tree of Life Bible Society, Tree of Life Version - TLV, #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]
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