“He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7)
Most of you already know I live in Durham, North Carolina. In fact, I work right across the street from the Durham County Courthouse and have personally witnessed much of what you have read about with regards to Mike Nifong – the recently disbarred former Durham District Attorney who by his own admission got what he deserved for his role in the Duke Lacrosse case.
First and foremost, the Bible warns us that we will reap what we sow, and Mr. Nifong certainly received just punishment for the prosecutorial misconduct he displayed with regards to the indictment and subsequent investigation of the three Duke Lacrosse players. He has no excuses.
But what troubles me most about the Nifong issue is the “piling on” that I now see. The families say they want to move forward, but are thinking about suing Mr. Nifong. That will certainly not put this whole tragedy behind them. What’s more, lawyers representing the players now want to see Nifong tried for criminal misconduct. One lawyer for the players even said, “Some people will take this as being mean-spirited and kicking somebody when they’re down.” He’s right on that point.
I don’t know how much more justice can be wrung out of Mr. Nifong. In his testimony before the North Carolina Bar, he told them, “I will go to my grave being associated with this case.” How much more humiliation and shame do he and his family deserve?
As Christians, we enjoy two citizenships – one in the world and one in heaven. The world is going about the process of judging Mike Nifong for his actions and as Christians we are instructed to respect and honor that authority. But as Saints, we all know that Mr. Nifong’s sins are not any more egregious than our own. In short, we all fall short of the glory of God each and every day.
While I freely admit that Mike Nifong deserved to be punished for his actions, I feel sorry for him. Enough is enough. All of us need and deserve forgiveness – even Mike Nifong. The Christian thing to do now is to reach out to him, so I wrote him last week:
“I am sorry that you’re going through the trial you’re now facing. I’m not one to cast judgment although I realize we all pay for the mistakes we make. However, I have been equally troubled with some in the legal community who now see this as an opportunity to “pile on” and exact a pound of flesh. Hatred in any form serves no interest when it comes to justice.
I do not know much about your faith, Mike, but I do know that in spite of everything you’ve done or have been accused of doing, there is a forgiving God who is waiting to grant you the peace and consolation that only divine forgiveness can offer. I saw a penitent heart on (television); it is the first pre-requisite for forgiveness and restoration. All you have to do is reach out and ask Him to forgive you and guide you in the days and months ahead.”
Jesus was criticized for it, but He was often found consorting with those who were in the greatest need of forgiveness. It is model conduct for a Christian and unfortunately nowhere to be found in Durham.
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