Message = Getting out of a Vice Grip

I write today because a co-laborer in Christ, an ordained Baptist Preacher of the Gospel and a Baptist Pastor of a local independent fundamental Baptist church has resigned his position after very publicly pleading guilty to a charge involving the possession of child pornography. I know that there is often some measure of entrapment involved in attaining such convictions, but a guilty plea does not lie. A Baptist pastor is to be Biblically held to the highest moral standard, but any male who is responsible for rearing children or grand children or is involved in any ministry to children or in regular contact with children, is justly and legally barred from that responsibility after such a conviction and plea. I write today to plead that every man examine himself. And in that private, between them and God, examination they plead either guilty or innocent of any charge of possession of child pornography. If the plea is guilty, they should justly and purposefully bar themselves from all such child contact or ministry, and seek competent spiritual counsel which can make them answerable to that justified barring.

I have been in the military, and involved in youth ministry for well over 20 years. I understand the draw and the power of the five vices condoned in the military environment. (i.e. wine, women/sex, smoke, drugs and gambling.) These vices hold on like the vice grip that bears the same name. But a vice also draws one deeper and deeper into its own immorality. Most never comprehend the vileness of a vice, even when they see a peer sucked into its overwhelming depth. When you are in a vice, you are in over your head, and your immorality does effect those around you. But as you get sucked deeper into its immoral vile there are clears signs that you are irreparably effecting those around you. Viewing child pornography is a crystal clear sign. You are doing irreparable harm. Bar yourself from all children and get out. There is a God, who sent his Only Begotten Son, to "open prison doors and set those captives free." Seek him out, he alone can save you.

A WakeUp Call Essay for week #25 06/22/2014