How Shall We Respond?

Over the past week, John Balyo, a morning host for wcsg out of Grand Rapids, was arrested for alleged criminal sexual conduct involving a minor.  After he was arrested there was a buzz in the local news and many began talking about it in their homes.  Last night I saw on the news that Baylo had allegedly admitted guilt to having sex with a 12 year-old boy.  There is a huge pit in my stomach as I think about how anyone could do this, much less a man that would speak against such things as rape, adultery, sexual fornication, homosexuality, and sex trafficking.  I have a son who is now 15 years old, and I can't imagine what it would have done to him to have something like that happen.  I don't understand this.  Another angst I have right now is how the Name of Christ is being trampled upon by those that now have more fuel for their fire... but part of me understands where they are coming from.  It is news such as this that sends me into a state of confusion, not about the reality of God (that is set), but about how believers are to respond to Mr. Balyo and a world skeptical about the things of God.  I have seen many people post that they hope he "rots in hell" and I am sure many of you feel the same way, but is this the response that honors God?  So how should we respond?

1.  With love!  Love for both Mr. Balyo and the skeptical world we engage.  The reality is that we have no idea the status of John Balyo's relationship with God.  Did he truly know Christ?  I am sure that before Friday, all who knew him or listened to him on the radio would not even entertain such a question, but four days later it seems relevant.  Can a true believer get sucked in by the darkness of sin?  Certainly they can, but we wonder if someone can fall that far.  It is my opinion that we cannot possible know if Mr. Balyo is a genuine believer or not.  I personally struggle with thinking that one who plots, executes, and hides such a vile crime possess the Holy Spirit... but King David did the same thing.  Regardless of his eternal destiny, we still are called to respond in love... even to our enemies.  Pray for his soul!  Pray for repentance!  Pray for his family who are victims as well.

2.  With Caution!  Recognize that we all live by the grace of God.  I am what I am because of the grace of God!  I am not so proud as to think that darkness could not ever lure me into its clutches.  We need always to stand guard at the gate of our heart!  Destroy footholds that lead toward the darkness of sin.  Resolve to die to self and live for Christ!

3.  With Grief!  We live in a broken work.  When things in life happen such as this we get an ache in our soul or a pit in our stomach.  The emotions of sadness and anger flood our hearts, and rightly so. Some will accuse God of not intervening and conclude that He is either a harsh ogre or does not exist at all.  God is just too easy to blame for these things.  We conclude that if God does not intervene, then He is one of those two things, but there is no logic to this.  If God intervened every time (and He would have to satisfy their conclusion),  then this world would not suffer the natural consequences of the fall.  We would not long for heaven, for earth would not seem so broken.  God will not intervene in every act of evil, He allows the natural consequences to run their course, but He will take on the role of the ultimate judge.  Grieving is natural and good... it is the right response!  Just do not fall prey to the conclusion that God is not real because He did not prevent it from happening.