True Love Saves: Jesus Intends to Save the Sexually Exploited

As we celebrate Valentine's Day this month, love (or the idea of ​​love) seems to reside prominently in the foreground of our hearts. But what is true love? What is "convenient love" (selfish desire)? And what is blended "love" (abuse)?

Here's what we know to be true about love:

"Love is patient, love is good. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it does not is not selfish, it does not get angry easily, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. " 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Despite what culture tells us today, true love is not lust; they are not superficial feelings or selfish desires. In fact, true love is not selfish at all. It is certainly not abusive, robbed or defiled in any way.

Currently, millions of oppressed and trafficked individuals (adults and children) are sexually exploited, many of them by members of their own families, under the guise of "love". Not only is their innocence stolen from them, leaving them defiled and broken, but they are also left confused, believing they are put in this position because of "loyalty" and "love".

Others are cared for by "love boy" characters who prey on young people looking for love. They will flatter and gift their prey, pledging to care for them like no one else ever could. The naive are victims of these lies and soon find themselves trapped with no escape, the lover turned aggressor and trafficker.

That's not love. It's completely evil and disgusting, destroying their very identity.

Evil disguised as "love" is rampant.

To put it all into perspective, here are some staggering statistics on sex trafficking:

- Sex trafficking is a $99 billion industry.

- Between 24 and 40 million people worldwide are victims of human trafficking at any given time.

-2 million children are taken and put into sex trafficking every year.

-91% of victims of childhood sexual abuse say they know their abuser.

-65% of traffickers are mothers of victims; 32% are the fathers of the victims.

-Many survivors report sexual abuse beginning between the ages of 3 and 4.

-50% of victims of human trafficking have been involved in child protection or juvenile justice systems.

-80% of girls involved in human trafficking had been in the child protection system in the past.

-The average age of children who run away from home and engage in sex trafficking is 12 to 14 years old.

-In the 48 hours following a runaway, 1 out of 3 children is solicited for sex.

-Victims can be sold between 15 and 40 times every 24 hours.

But Jesus.

While these numbers are extremely heartbreaking, we still have hope. There is only one way and one power to save all people and redeem all situations.

"You intended to hurt me, but God willed it for the good in order to accomplish what is being done, the salvation of many lives." Genesis 50:20

“Advocate the cause of the weak and the orphans; defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed”. Psalm 82:3

True love is loving others in God's way. It is fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves. We must defend these souls, take the time to pray for those who are trafficked, defiled by their own family members, used for their bodies, or prepared to settle for much less. True love is about empowering others, valuing them more than ourselves, standing up for the abused and oppressed, and sharing the truth with everyone, offering true life, freedom, and joy.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, but with humility consider others better than yourselves." » Philippians 2:3

If you want to see the story of true love, read the sacrifice Jesus made. He gave up everything and gave his life so that we could have ours. He went low so we could go high. This is true love.

"But God shows his love for us in what we were still...