Forgiveness and Healing

Sexual sin is so prevalent in our culture that there are many people who have committed and/or are committing sexual sin and are thus dealing with the consequences. Of course, there are also people who deny that sexual sin has consequences (at least many people live as if it had no consequences). Nevertheless, the Word of God, and usually life itself, testifies that all sin has consequences. Two reasons that some people deny the reality of the consequences of sexual sin are: first, there can be a long time between the sin and the consequence and, second, the same sin can have very different consequences. For example, a couple may have had sexual intercourse many times during a period of years with seemingly no consequence, but then the woman gets pregnant. Again, one person who has sexual intercourse outside of marriage might contract a sexually transmitted disease, while another person does not. One person may experience shame and bad memories after illicit sexual intercourse, and this may plague him for years, while another person feels no shame at all.

Sexual sin can have many and varied consequences, and the best way to deal with both the sin and its consequences is by obeying what God has set forth in His Word on the matter. It is not a good idea to ignore the consequences of sin or to think that the passage of time will automatically result in one forgetting and being healed. God has no desire that people should be hurting, or separated from Him, and He desires to draw everyone close to Himself, no matter what their past sins might be. Restoration, healing, and fellowship with God are all available. God always desires that a person turn from his or her sin and return to Him. He said so to the house of Israel thousands of years ago, and His heart has not changed.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say to them, “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?”

God implores people to turn away from wickedness and death and turn to godliness and life. Although someone may be a sinner for a long time without physically dying, the effect of sin is the “death” of many things—the joy of the Lord in one’s life and peace of mind are two wonderful things that die very quickly in a person dominated by sin. Another thing that dies is a tender and responsive heart before the Lord. The first step in the process of forgiveness, restoration, and healing is to follow the advice in the verse above, which was given more than 2,500 years ago: “Turn! Turn from your evil ways!” It is important to stop any sinful behavior.

John 8 contains a record of a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. The religious leaders brought her to Jesus in order that they might trap him. The Law of Moses clearly taught that if a couple were caught in the act of adultery, both the man and the woman were to be brought before the judges—not just the woman. Jesus recognized the trap and, knowing that the Mosaic Law was being broken, said that the person without sin should cast the first stone. One by one, the people left the scene until only the woman was left with Jesus. He spoke words to her that, if she obeyed, would start her down the road to restoration and healing. He said, “Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11). Jesus is alive today, and his advice of over 2000 years ago is still valid. The first step toward forgiveness, restoration, and healing is to “leave your life of sin,” i.e., stop sinning. It can be very difficult to stop sinning, but be assured that with God’s help you can.

The next step to forgiveness, restoration, and healing is to confess your sins to God and ask His forgiveness. Scripture is very clear that if we ask to be forgiven, God will forgive us:

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

It is important to remember that there is usually no “feeling” that accompanies forgiveness. Many people do not think they are forgiven if they still “feel” ashamed or guilty or because they are still dealing with the consequences of their sin. Be assured that the Bible is not lying and that if you ask God to forgive you, He does, but being forgiven by God does not mean that all the consequences of sin simply vanish.

Scripture often uses the word “repent.” True repentance includes stopping sinful behavior and asking God for forgiveness. Because sexual sin almost always involves another individual or individuals, asking for their forgiveness can be important too. Restoring godly fellowship with other people is very important, and ignoring sins that have been committed and just letting them fade into past memories is usually not the best way to deal with them. Often, confessing your sins to others who have been involved and hurt by your sin, and asking them to forgive you, is an important part of your healing. It is also often an important part of their healing as well.

Sin has consequences in the physical world as well as the spiritual world, and the physical consequences of sin can be difficult to deal with. Although the spiritual consequences are just as real, the physical consequences are usually much more tangible and concrete, and it is worth avoiding sin just to avoid the physical consequences that can befall you. God forgives us as soon as we ask, but long after God forgives us, the physical consequences can be only too real. Dealing with physical consequences (including mental/emotional problems) usually requires faith, prayer, patience and sometimes ministering healing or miracles. There may also be a need for counseling or getting the godly advice of other Christians. Some of the physical consequences of sexual sin are pregnancy, memories that cause distraction and heartache, fears about future relationships, difficulties in bonding with your spouse, sterility or problems with pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, demonic influences, and even perhaps an unwanted reputation. These are terrible things, but the good news is that there is healing and restoration available from God.

Condemnation over what has been done in the past can be more traumatic than the sin that was committed. The Bible speaks clearly: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). God does not want His children to wallow in self-pity and condemnation. He wants us to stop sinning, ask for forgiveness, and move forward with our lives into full deliverance in Christ. He wants to help us to turn the “lemons” of the world into “lemonade.” With God’s help, each person can find ways to strengthen weak areas and be a better and stronger Christian because of past experiences. If you have been involved in sexual sin, and especially if you are suffering consequences from that sin, do not allow the Adversary to beat you by causing you to be condemned, downcast, discouraged, and defeated. Go to God with faith and draw your strength from Him. Our God is a great God, who forgives, restores, and heals. [1] [For further study read Righteousness – Every Christian’s Gift from God.]

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Federal Court Permanently Bars Michigan Woman from Preparing Tax Returns Claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit
Tax Preparer Allegedly Prepared Returns Claiming Bogus Dependents and with Fabricated Business Income to Falsely Maximize Earned Income Credits
A federal court has permanently barred Crystal Ireland, of Detroit, who does business as Master Mind Preparation, from preparing federal tax returns that claim the earned income tax credit, the Justice Department announced today. The civil injunction order, to which Ireland consented, was signed by Judge Bernard Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The complaint in the case alleged that Ireland failed to comply with due diligence requirements imposed by federal law on tax preparers who claim the earned income credit on customers’ returns. According to the complaint, Ireland fabricated businesses and reported fake business income on her customers’ tax returns in order to claim the maximum credit for them.

The complaint alleged that the Internal Revenue Service penalized Ireland in 2010 for failing to comply with federal law due diligence requirements, yet a 2011 follow-up investigation revealed ongoing failures and fraudulent claims. According to the complaint, Ireland prepared at least 2,300 returns from 2008 through 2011, with unusually high refund rates ranging from 97 to 99 percent for those years.

The permanent injunction order also bars Ireland from preparing forms Schedule C on which she knowingly fabricates income or expenses, preparing tax returns on which she knowingly claims a dependent that does not actually qualify as a dependent of the taxpayer, and preparing tax returns on which she fails to identify herself as the paid preparer or falsely identifies someone else as the paid preparer.

In the past decade the Justice Department’s Tax Division has obtained injunctions against hundreds of tax return preparers and tax-fraud promoters. Information about these cases is available on the Justice Department website.

Carol Gray holds picture of son Kimani (credit: Al Jones/1010 WINS)
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Brooklyn, Carol Gray, John Montone, Kathryn Brown, Kimani Gray, NYPD, Paul Murnane, protests, Rev. Gilford Monrose, shooting
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The mother of a Brooklyn teen who was shot and killed by police spoke out Thursday after dozens of people protesting the boy’s death were arrested overnight in a clash with police.

Speaking from the office of City Councilman Charles Barron, Carol Gray, the mother of 16-year-old Kimani Gray, said her son was slaughtered and she wants to know why.

Gray told reporters her son was killed in front of his best friend’s house after a birthday party. She also said she does not condone violence and only wants justice for her son.

Officers in riot gear arrested 46 people during a candlelight vigil Wednesday night, the third straight day of protests against Gray’s death. Most were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, police said.

Two officers were also injured. One was treated for a gash in his face after police said a brick was thrown at him.

Wednesday’s protest came after autopsy results showed Gray was shot seven times in his shoulders, arms and legs with wounds to the front and back of his body.

He was shot by two plainclothes cops Saturday night after police said he pulled a .38 caliber gun on the officers.

Police arrest a man during a vigil for Kimani Grey which turned raucous on March 13, 2013. (credit: CBS 2)
Police said the officers from the Brooklyn South Anti-Crime Patrol were walking East Flatbush when they came upon a group of young men standing in front of a home on East 52nd Street.

When the officers approached and started to talk to the group, Gray began acting suspiciously and ran from the officers, police said.

Police said at one point, Gray grabbed for something in his waistband. Gray then pulled out a gun and pointed it at the officers, according to police.

When the plainclothes officers saw the gun, they both fired. Gray was pronounced dead at Kings County Hospital a short time later, police said.

A gun was recovered at the scene, but Gray’s family maintains the teen wasn’t armed.

“After he got the first shot on the ground, he was like please don’t kill me, don’t let me die and then I heard the police went over and started shooting,” said Gray’s cousin, who did not give his name.

Police arrest a man during a vigil for Kimani Grey which turned raucous on March 13, 2013. (credit: CBS 2)
People in the community have said Gray’s death highlights a larger problem of police brutality.

“The cops need to respect the people and the neighborhood and maybe the people wouldn’t be so angry,” said Flatbush resident Aaron Viera. “The community is angry and the community is voicing their opinion right now and the cops need to understand they just can’t react any way they want to with a gun.”

On Thursday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it’s sad for the family and that he understands the anger in the East Flatbush community, but said he won’t tolerate violent outbreaks in the community, 1010 WINS’ Stan Brooks reported.

“You can rest assured we will take adequate precautions to protect the public and I am not at liberty to discuss what those will be — they’ll be different every day,” Bloomberg said. “Some you’ll see, some you won’t. That’s what we do all the time. We have the best trained police department in the country.”

Bloomberg said he has not gone to the shooting scene because he does not want to inflame the situation, Brooks reported. The mayor also said he believes it is too soon to visit the teen’s family.

Bloomberg said he promises a thorough investigation, and that all indications are that Kimani “Kiki” Gray had a gun.

A weapon recovered after the shooting was originally purchased in Florida, Bloomberg added.

Carol Gray said she doesn’t believe her son pointed a gun at police. She sobbed as she discussed choosing the color of her son’s casket.

On Monday, a mob broke away from a candlelight vigil and stormed a produce stand, trashing registers and throwing bottles at the cashier, police said.

They then ransacked a Rite Aid and attacked a customer, police said.

Gray’s parents have condemned the recent protests, saying the violence “clouded their message,” a family spokesman said.

“It’s a tough time for the community,” said the spokesman, Rev. Gilford Monrose. “But the family and myself do not condone the violence.”

The 6-month-old infant girl shot five times on Chicago’s South Side Monday died in the hospital Tuesday morning.

Jonylah Watkins was rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital Monday afternoon in serious-to-critical condition after being shot in the 6500 block of South Maryland Avenue in the city’s Woodlawn neighborhood around 12:48 p.m. Her father, Jonathan Watkins, had been changing her diaper in the front passenger seat of a Chevy Venture minivan when a gunman approached them and opened fire. He fled in a waiting van.

Jonylah had sustained wounds in her lung, liver, leg, shoulder and bowel or intestine, according to DNAinfo Chicago, and had undergone at least five hours of surgery.

(Read a Wednesday update on the search for Jonylah’s killer.)

“This morning, the baby passed away,” the Rev. Corey Brooks, who is acting as a spokesman for the family, told the Chicago Tribune. “We have another tragedy in the city of Chicago.”

“The city of Chicago should be outraged that in our city a 6-month-old baby could be shot and killed,” Brooks added Tuesday, according to DNAinfo.

Brooks told the Tribune his Woodlawn-based New Beginnings Church would offer up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Jonylah’s killer. Another community group also agreed to chip in $1,000, bringing the total reward to $6,000.

Jonylah’s father was also wounded in the shooting — being struck in the side and buttocks, plus a graze wound to his cheek — and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious-to-critical condition. According to NBC Chicago, he remains in critical condition as of Tuesday morning.

Jonathan Watkins told the Chicago Sun-Times Tuesday that he has no idea who opened fire on him and his child, but sources told the paper that the shooting was possibly prompted by an angry Facebook post.

Police say the father has known gang affiliations, a claim Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy took up in a Tuesday press conference, according to the Associated Press:

He said police weren’t sure yet whether Watkins will decide to cooperate in the investigation. … “No child, certainly not an infant, should be a victim of gang violence,” McCarthy said. … “He was obviously targeted,” McCarthy said of Jonathan Watkins. Police were trying to determine whether a reported Facebook post threatening Watkins actually exists, McCarthy said.
Jonylah’s mother, Judy Watkins, was previously shot while carrying the child. She was working at McDonald’s at the time of the Monday shooting, according to the Tribune. Judy and Jonathan had recently gotten married.

On Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called Jonylah’s murder “senseless” and “despicable,” according to DNAinfo.

A relative of Jonylah’s, Dominique Young, told ABC Chicago that gun violence has been commonplace in the neighborhood, saying, “There is always someone getting shot in this neighborhood. We are close together, and we know them. There are killings all the time.”

No one is in custody in the shooting as of Tuesday afternoon and police are investigating.

Gun violence in Chicago has earned the city national media attention, even as its homicide rate in February plummeted to a 56-year-low. Previously, in January, 40 homicides were reported by police.

Prior to the shooting on Monday, Superintendent McCarthy touted that shootings in Chicago so far this year are down 19 percent compared to last year, according to NBC. Homicides, McCarthy said in a press conference, are also down by 26 percent compared to 2012.

Jonylah’s slaying reportedly inspired a surge of submissions to the “500 Project,” a social media campaign launched by Chicagoan Bryant Cross. The campaign aims to make a message of anti-violence more visible.