Much soul searching has no doubt taken place, and many others, especially in the case of the apparently affable and friendly Rolf Harris, have had to wonder how to think of him, in the light of this new information.
I spend a lot of time - more than I am used to - with people who have had serious dealings with one statutory agency or another, ranging from police and social services to the job centre or rehabilitation agencies. And then many of the rest of us find that without having to scratch very deep we discover that we also are in a fragile place. So pointing the finger at others is not a helpful response to the troubles that we all face.
I would hazard a guess that it is fair to say that none of us is sorted, and that all of us are in a mess of one sort or another. At least that level of honesty means we don't have to pretend to be better than we are.
And that is why the Good News of Jesus is such Good News.
St. Paul was passionate about sharing that Good News all around the Mediterranean Sea. ' When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. ' (Romans 5.6, 8, 9)
To receive God's unmerited love and mercy, and find new hope and life changes everything. Paul set the contrast starkly when he said,'For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.' (Romans 6.23)
Today, we all live as those who are guilty of ignoring God's will for our lives, and yet who are given a second chance (and many more too!) to come back into friendship with God. That is wonderful good news - worth sharing.
Best wishes,
Richard
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