Love and Justice in the Face of Wickedness - Conclusion of A GRAVE SIN

A sin against secular authorities.  Christian are to "be in subjection to the superior authorities." (Romans 13:1)  We prove our subjection by showing due respect for the laws of the land. If someone in the congregation becomes guilty of violating a criminal law, such as by committing child abuse, he is sinning against the secular authorities.  (Compare Acts 25:8)   While the elders are not authorized to enforce the law of the land, they do not shield any perpetrator of child abuse from the legal consequences of his sin.  (Romans 13:4) [ The sinner reaps what he has sown. - GALATIANS 6:7.

Above all, sin against God.  (Psalm 51:4)  When a human sins against another human, he also sins against Jehovah.  Consider an example from the Law that God gave Israel.  The Law said that a man who robbed or defrauded his neighbor was behaving "unfaithfully toward Jehovah." (Leviticus 6:2-4) Certainly, then, when an individual who is part of the congregation abuses a child-robbing that child of his or her security-he is behaving unfaithfully toward God. The abuser brings great reproach on Jehovah's name.  For that reason, abuse must be condemned for what it is-a gross sin against God.

Over the years,l Jehovah's organization has provided an abundance of Scriptural information on the subject of child abuse.  For  example, articles in the Watchtower and Awake!  have discussed how those who have been sexually abused cab deal with emotional scars, how others can help and encourage them, and how parents can protect their children. Elders have received detailed Scriptural training on how to handle the sins of the child abuse. Why? To make sure that our way of handling the matter is in harmony with the law of the Christ. 

Next time: Law and Justice in the Face of Wickedness- HANDLING INSTANCES OF SERIOUS WRONGDOING

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