It is never easy to forgive, much more demonstrate love in the midst of hatred and heartbreak, but this is exactly what gospel artist Marcus Stanley did after Dylann Roof was arrested for killing nine people participating in a Bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, last week.
When he heard the news, Stanley searched for Roof's name on the Internet and the suspect's Facebook page popped out.
He decided to comment on one of Roof's photos, according to the IJReview, but instead of sharing scathing words, Stanley did the opposite.
"I don't look at you with the eyes of hatred, or judge you by your appearance or race, but I look at you as a human being that made a horrible decision to take the lives of nine living and breathing people," he wrote.
The Charleston church shooting has been tagged as a hate crime, and Stanley tried to reason how Roof developed a prejudice against a certain race.
"Children do not grow up with hatred in their hearts. In this world we are born color blind," he wrote. "Somewhere along the line, you were taught to hate people that are not like you, and that is truly tragic. If you are still out there and you have your phone with you... Give your heart to Jesus and confess your sins with a heart of forgiveness. He is the only one that can save your soul and forgive you for this terrible act that you have done."
Stanley even told Roof that he loved him, but more importantly, that God loves him even if he has caused pain to other people.
The singer's statements really mean something since he went through the same ordeal himself back in 2010, when he was shot eight times and was paralysed until he found Christ in 2010 and was able to walk again.
"I forgave the man who shot seven bullets from a 45 caliber gun into my chest, and one bullet into my arm," he further wrote. "One bullet remains inside my spine that is unable to be moved due to risk of paralysis and I lost the feeling in my right hand permanently. For years I held bitterness, anger, and rage... but in 2010 when I gave my life to Jesus, I realized that I had to forgive to be free. Forgiving those who hurt you can save your life."
