Deaf_Jen said:
See this is an interesting situation, i have been talking to Kerri here, and she explained to me the situation... as a whole i can see her son was at fault.. but who are we to judge?
If he was at fault, and he knows it, and admits it, then that is not judging. It is agreeing with what has been stated.
i personaly feel that just because this person has commited a crime which by all means he should be punished for.... why should he be excluded from friendship? And as a christian its not a duty or an obligation to reach out to those who need a friend... it is something which we should all love to do... what right do we have to to judge him?
There is nothing wrong with reaching out to him in friendship, but that doesn't get him off the hook with his legal obligations. Those are two separate issues.
A real friend will be honest and say, "Look, you did wrong and you have to pay your debt to society. Also, you sinned. You need to get right with the Lord for real lasting peace. I am your friend, and I will help you do that."
There is nothing loving or helpful about covering or ignoring sin. It has to be dealt with. Denial doesn't help anyone.
Also, these days, people have to be very cautious about contacting prisoners on a personal basis. There are too many scams and dangerous situations happening.
Our local church ministers to civilian and military prisoners on a regular basis. We have several people involved with jail and brig visits. We reach out to prisoners. It is not judging them. The prisoners themselves say, "I am guilty."