Who goes to a prison voluntarily? Perhaps an act of defiance, insubordination, a breaking of the law and the individual is arrested.
There is a trial, attorneys are present, some witnesses, and a judge makes the decision after the jury likewise deliberates.
Is the offender to remain incarcerated forever?
When people discuss God often no one describes themselves as an offender, a law-breaker. But that is exactly what we are. We have sinned, done wrong, committed a crime against God who is Holy.
A couple of months ago I went to visit my brother who is confined in prison. I had to rise up early & drive 45 minutes. Upon my arrival I had to fill out forms, show ID, and explain the reason for my visit. “He’s my brother”, I said.
Leave the pocketbook behind in a locker because it’s not allowed in the visiting area. Only certain attire can be worn. I’m searched, and my ID is requested again. I must have surrendered my ID at least 6 times in a 15’ stretch. I felt myself getting a “little perturb”!
I was reminded that we have all been prisoners; prisoners to sin.
The Holy Spirit of God is the only person that can enter a prison cell, visit, speak and leave and imprint that changes the heart of the prisoner.
Yes, we have broken the law and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) There is no bail that can get us out!
“The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)
So how do we get free?
Scripture reads: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
The truth is that the Lord walked right through the prison walls that had me hemmed in. He passed every check point and addressed me personally. “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.” (Romans 10:9) I would be free!
My sin could not keep him away. His compassion and love were lavished on me! Yes, on the prisoner.
He wasn’t annoyed or disturbed at my condition.
Though it will cost him everything, including his life, he does not shrink back or consider this act of grace and mercy an inconvenience. If I was the only prisoner, he would still visit!
When the Holy Spirit enters our sinful hearts and begins to dialogue with us, he is not pointing the finger and condemning us. He is offering a way of escape! Yes, a way to be free no matter where we are.
In my short visit with my brother, encouragement is what I wanted to leave him with. I have nothing to offer that can impart life to this man except to point him to the Liberator; to the One that can enter the prison and leave an imprint that changes lives.
We have all been prisoners to sin.
We have been manipulated and lied to.
But there is a way of escape. He has the keys to every cell.
Jesus has come to set the captive free.
He is the Advocate and the Judge.
He traded places with me and paid the ransom.
He adopted me and proudly calls me his daughter.
He has given me a new identity and the former sins he remembers no more.
When life begins to close in on me and prison walls start erecting around me, I call on his Name and he reminds me, “daughter, I am right here, I will never leave you or forsake you. Truly, I have never left your side.
Yes, he loves me!
There is a trial, attorneys are present, some witnesses, and a judge makes the decision after the jury likewise deliberates.
Is the offender to remain incarcerated forever?
When people discuss God often no one describes themselves as an offender, a law-breaker. But that is exactly what we are. We have sinned, done wrong, committed a crime against God who is Holy.
A couple of months ago I went to visit my brother who is confined in prison. I had to rise up early & drive 45 minutes. Upon my arrival I had to fill out forms, show ID, and explain the reason for my visit. “He’s my brother”, I said.
Leave the pocketbook behind in a locker because it’s not allowed in the visiting area. Only certain attire can be worn. I’m searched, and my ID is requested again. I must have surrendered my ID at least 6 times in a 15’ stretch. I felt myself getting a “little perturb”!
I was reminded that we have all been prisoners; prisoners to sin.
The Holy Spirit of God is the only person that can enter a prison cell, visit, speak and leave and imprint that changes the heart of the prisoner.
Yes, we have broken the law and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) There is no bail that can get us out!
“The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23)
So how do we get free?
Scripture reads: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
The truth is that the Lord walked right through the prison walls that had me hemmed in. He passed every check point and addressed me personally. “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.” (Romans 10:9) I would be free!
My sin could not keep him away. His compassion and love were lavished on me! Yes, on the prisoner.
He wasn’t annoyed or disturbed at my condition.
Though it will cost him everything, including his life, he does not shrink back or consider this act of grace and mercy an inconvenience. If I was the only prisoner, he would still visit!
When the Holy Spirit enters our sinful hearts and begins to dialogue with us, he is not pointing the finger and condemning us. He is offering a way of escape! Yes, a way to be free no matter where we are.
In my short visit with my brother, encouragement is what I wanted to leave him with. I have nothing to offer that can impart life to this man except to point him to the Liberator; to the One that can enter the prison and leave an imprint that changes lives.
We have all been prisoners to sin.
We have been manipulated and lied to.
But there is a way of escape. He has the keys to every cell.
Jesus has come to set the captive free.
He is the Advocate and the Judge.
He traded places with me and paid the ransom.
He adopted me and proudly calls me his daughter.
He has given me a new identity and the former sins he remembers no more.
When life begins to close in on me and prison walls start erecting around me, I call on his Name and he reminds me, “daughter, I am right here, I will never leave you or forsake you. Truly, I have never left your side.
Yes, he loves me!
God bless you!~Liz
