“Lord willin’” is an expression of speech, which typically answers a question.

You going to prayer meeting tonight? “Lord willin’.”

At times, that phrase is used with a hint of doubt that gives an out. The implication is that if it doesn’t happen, then the Lord must not have been willing. BUT, what if the Lord is willing and we are not?!

There was a leper in Matthew 8:1-4, who reached out to Jesus and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

The Lord was willing to touch this man who was deemed untouchable by society. He had become an outcast. But he looked to Jesus with faith that Christ could cure him. Jesus did not disappoint his faith. He reached out and touched him.

Many people have been touched inappropriately. God have mercy on those who have damaged children through molestation, rape, and pedophilia.

But victims need to know this. It’s not your fault. You were a victim.

But you also need to know that you don’t have to remain a victim for the rest of your life. There is healing and subsequent victory available through Jesus Christ.

Such victims often grow into damaged adults that live with shame. Because of their psychological trauma, many have turned to sexual promiscuity, drugs, and alcohol.

Regardless of how normal our culture wants to make the sexual sins of adultery, homosexuality, and pornography, God is not pleased.

God’s Word, the Holy Bible, is clear. See Romans 1:24-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and Galatians 5:19-21.

There’s also the need for sins’ victims to hear grace-filled words. Jesus told the leper, “I am willing. Be clean!” Those healing words came immediately before Jesus’ healing touch. It meant a new life was possible.

Those who did not hear the proper amount of grace-filled words when growing up are usually unconsciously vying for attention so others will speak well of them.

The lack of grace-filled words can cause people to sink into withdrawal and depression. There are children and adults whose whole lives have become twisted because they’ve never had the affirmation and love they desperately need.

When I think about this need for grace-filled words, I cannot escape telling you about a woman that Jesus spoke to in John 8. She was caught in the very act of sexual sin and brought to Jesus. But that day ended with the grace-filled words that she desperately needed to hear. Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (11).

As a minister, I have tried to help those who have had bitter experiences in life. Many have fallen into deep sin, and though they have confessed these sins, they still feel guilty about them and still need more healing on the way to wholeness. As an ambassador of Christ, I can say, “You have been cleansed, go your way.” But I can also say like Christ did to the woman caught in the very act of sexual sin, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Christian, we have a responsibility to help provide Christ-like touch and grace-filled words that help bring healing.

However, we should never condone any present sin. But neither should we condemn the victim. We offer them the peace of God in the forgiveness of their sins. And we offer them the power of God to overcome their sins.