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Jason is the founder of Ignite Student Ministries, a dynamic ministry igniting youth, young adults and university students to passionately pursue Christ and transform society in high schools, work places and universities around the world.

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Covering a Multitude of Sin

Jason VanaJason Vana

Photo Credit: The Atlantic Wire

If you were online at all the past few days, you undoubtedly heard the news that Invisible Children cofounder and director of the Kony 2012 video was detained.

According to NBC San Diego:

Jason Russell, 33, was allegedly found masturbating in public, vandalizing cars and possibly under the influence of something, according to Lt. Andra Brown. He was detained at the intersection of Ingraham Street and Riviera Road.

“Brown said Russell was acting very strange.

“‘Due to the nature of the detention, he was not arrested,’ she said at a press conference. ‘During the evaluation we learned we probably needed to take him to a medical facility because of statements he was saying.'”

In a little over a week, Russell went from a seemingly nobody into the international spotlight, and it became too much.

Look at any Facebook post, search Twitter for Kony2012, follow the Kony2012 tag on Tumblr and you’ll see the criticism leveled at Russell over the video. Everything from claiming he is a fake to accusing him of not really helping the children, but using the money for his own enjoyment.

It would be enough to drive any leader a little nuts.

While Russell’s actions were perverse, while they were shameful and caused harm to his reputation and the reputation of his organization, his actions weren’t the worst part.

How some Christians responded to his mistakes was disappointing.

Some leveled claims that he got what he deserved. Others spread his indiscretions lightheartedly, saying they were glad they didn’t give him any money. Still others made jokes about why he was trying to rescue kids, claimed his actions were proof that Invisible Children was just about him getting money, and freely judged a man they never met.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be people of the second chance.

We are meant to offer grace and mercy and renewal to those who have fallen. We are called to cover the sins of others, not spread them for everyone to see. We are supposed to offer the same forgiveness and love that Christ gave us.

It’s what Christ did.

When the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him, He had every right to condemn her, to judge her, to spread her sin for everyone to know. Instead, He stood up for her. He protected her. He showed those ready to throw stones at her that she was loved and valued by God.

We should be doing the same.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” – Matthew 7:1

Every single one of us have made mistakes.
Every person has fallen.
We all have done things we aren’t proud of and have hurt those around us.
We all have disgraced our God and our families and our churches at one point or another.

Our sins just aren’t public enough for millions of people to see.

I’m not saying Russell should get off scott-free. I’m not saying he shouldn’t pay the penalties and even be asked to step down from his position in Invisible Children, if only for a season.

There are consequences to our sins, and he will have to face those consequences.

But maybe instead of judging him, maybe instead of pointing fingers, maybe instead of the snide remarks and gleeful “I told you so’s”, we should be offering mercy. And grace. And a second chance.

It’s how we all would want others to respond if our sins ever made it out for millions of people to see.

How can you offer mercy and grace to those around you who have sinned?

Jason is the founder of Ignite Student Ministries, a dynamic ministry igniting youth, young adults and university students to passionately pursue Christ and transform society in high schools, work places and universities around the world.