I’m attending yet another prison ministry event this weekend. I’m told that I’ve been picked to visit with some of the meanest and nastiest characters incarcerated there; (all have been convicted of serious capital crimes).
So what do you tell someone who has nothing to lose and barring some miraculous event will never be set free again?
I tell them that God loves them and that in spite of whatever they’ve done that Jesus stands ready to forgive them.
Most of us would never forgive them of anything, and knowing what they’ve done be quick to shout from the highest hilltop that they aren’t deserving of forgiveness and that the authorities should go ahead and fry those worthless scumbags, they deserve it!
Hmmm . . . It’s a good thing that we aren’t God.
That is what grace is all about. We deserve the harshest punishment, but we have been spared; not because of anything we’ve done mind you, but because God loves us in spite of ourselves.
It is a fact that the Bible tells us unequivocally that not one of us deserves to be forgiven and all should face death for our crimes. Still there are those who think of themselves as “good people” who mistakenly think that they haven’t ever committed any crimes in fact are model citizens and should get a medal for all of their good works.
Think again. God doesn’t go by societal laws and our “good works” are simply filthy rags in His sight. He goes by His royal law which does not allow for even one sin.
Isaiah 64:6 We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.
So we can feed the hungry, help the poor, sick, lame, downtrodden, and visit prisoners but God counts it all for naught. He cannot tolerate sin in his presence
Romans 3:23 For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
These verses simply state that we have all sinned and because of it have been convicted of capital crimes in His Holy Court of Law and our sentence for it is death.
Huh? I’m sentenced to death for my little white lies and lustful thoughts?
Yup, that’s what it states. But there is a way to obtain a reprieve and it is called grace.
- John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
- 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
- 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in . . .
- Romans 10:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
- John 14:6 Jesus answered I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus reinforced the aforementioned when the self-righteous Pharisees brought the adulteress to Him and were ready to stone her because she was caught in the very act of adultery. The societal law of the day stated that she was to be stoned for such an act and they asked Jesus what they should do. He wrote something in the dirt, (probably the Ten Commandments), and then stood and told them that whoever was without sin should cast the first stone. They all departed beginning with the eldest without throwing the first stone. Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”
Hmmm . . . How strange is the notion of grace to unforgiving flesh . . . My own life was saved because of verses like these and hopefully so was yours. I can witness to these criminals now because I’m as guilty as anyone of sin. Through the years I have developed compassion and mercy towards others that was not there before being saved myself.
I think those verses are sufficient and should tell all of those hard cases or anyone all they need to know in order to receive their hope, salvation, and peace. Basically if one is locked up in a 6X9 cell or roaming a 30,000 foot mansion, Jesus stands ready to pour out His love upon us, forgive us, and purify us in order that we might enter into His presence once again. As for me I am pleased to worship Him and glorify His mighty name. I can’t wait to kneel before Him and praise His Holy Name.
Have a great weekend and don’t forget we have a tremendous guest speaker at Honey Lake Church this weekend, (football legend Steve Bartkowski). If you can’t get to Honey Lake then go to church somewhere and say a special thanks this Sunday for the love and grace of God.
Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
December 12, 2014 – Click here to listen