Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 
“30 to 60” years in prison for abusing 10 boys over 15 years. He could have faced 400 years of consecutive punishment, but at 68 years old, Sandusky was simply told that he would be in prison for the ‘rest of his life.’ The boys who were the victims of the abuse testified about the anger, sadness, and pain they had experienced. But the thing that struck me the most about their testimony was their disappointment at the behavior of a man who should have been a role model. One of them testified, “You were the person in my life who was supposed to be a role model, teach honor, respect, and accountability, and instead you did terrible things…”
It is obvious, of course, that there are certain malicious, horrendous acts that are considered evil by most people in the world today. None perhaps is worse than child molestation. Even in countries where trafficking of children takes place, traffickers know that the behavior is evil and it must be done in secret. But for the rest of us, those who try to do good and be a good role models in life, what can we learn from this young person’s statement?
Jesus told his disciples that it would be better for a heavy millstone to be hung around someone’s neck and be drowned in the depth of the sea than for them to have been involved in causing a young person to stumble in their belief about Him (MT 18:6). It is important to note this passage comes directly after Jesus said that we are all supposed to become like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (MT 18:3-4). Those who are innocent like children, and especially the lost and those who are immature in the faith, deserve great role models. Christians are basically divided into 2 categories: mature and immature. Hebrews 5:12-6:6 clearly teaches the goal of all Christians needs to be maturity in the faith as soon as possible. So please think on these thoughts today…
Where are you in the faith? Are you a recent convert or immature in the faith? If so, what are you doing to mature? Are you a mature Christian? If so, what are you doing to help others and be a good role model? We must be ever vigilant to check and see what our example is teaching others. Never underestimate the impact you have on God’s children.
As always, If I can help you in any way, please let me know.
