The Mike Vick Question

This is a tough one. What should our Christian response to Mike Vick be?

Not our dog loving response. Not our NFL-fandom response. Not even our law-abiding, can't believe he did what he did response.

In other words, what would Jesus say to do concerning Mike Vick?

I think I know, but it's tough to really do.

I've been wrestling with this question all week, ever since news that Mike Vick was a free man started to hit the interwebs. I'm torn, because both sides of the argument make so much sense.

On one hand, you have to understand the outrage at what he did. It was repulsive and morally bankrupt at every level. You have to see why a NFL team wouldn't want to have any part of him, and why animal lovers would protest his every move if a team did.

On the other hand, the NFL isn't exactly a club for choirboys. I read somewhere that 73 players have been convicted of drunk driving, for instance. In the case of 2 former Vols, Leonard Little and Donte Stallworth, with tragic consequences. Not to belittle what Mike Vick did in any way, but how could the NFL allow Leonard Little back into the league after serving time for killing a person, but not at least give Vick the opportunity to come back, after his role in killing animals?

There are no easy answers. Which is why I keep thinking about what Jesus would say to do. Of course, only He knows Mike Vick's heart - if Vick is truly repentant for what he did, or just sorry he got caught. But assuming he is a changed man, how should we respond? Certainly, being a NFL quarterback is a privilege and not a right. But there are only a handful of people on the planet that can do it. Only one that can do it and run a 4.2 40-yard dash. What if God has bigger plans for Mike Vick? Plans to use his horrible mistakes for a greater good?

I'm left struggling what to think. So, I'll ask you for help.

What should our Christian response to Mike Vick be?