Today the New York Times reports on a disturbing tale of a Justin Berry (NY Times requires a free membership – this article does contain graphic and disturbing material) who began offering pornographic images of himself online at the mere age of 13. It is a story of sin and misery, but also a story of redemption and hope. Trapped as an under aged victim in the hands of manipulative adults he soon assumed the role of the adult perpetrator. He began selling himself with the hopes of receiving gifts and money. He quickly established a thriving porn business racking in thousands of dollars a month with over 1,500 members who subscribed to his site. It began with a young thirteen year old teenager longer for friendship and companionship. Yet it brought all the wrong kinds of relationships. His life fell apart in 2003 (then at the age of 16). A drug addict, a child porn-star, and a victim of repeated molestations, Justin began taking other young teenagers down the same path. Then in June 2005 he was contacted by a reporter who was writing a story on child pornography on the web. The reporter convinced Justin to go to the F.B.I. and after a slow start his life began to take a new direction. He received immunity and became a federal witness bringing many sexual predators to justice. He began to restore relationships with his family and the article even hints to his return to Christianity. Of course, that could mean a lot of things, but what the gospel says is that Jesus Christ is the only hope for people like Justin. Those trapped deep within their own sins and transgressions can only find hope and peace through Jesus Christ. If Justin found Christ and turned his life to him then his life which was once a tragedy has now become a masterpiece of the sovereign creator-redeemer of the universe. May it truly be so!
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