Forgiveness
I think one of the hardest things I have had to do is forgive others, to release resentment and to be joyful in the presence of God.
I work in a prison as a counselor, I see all kinds of sinners pass through my unit, men who have done horrible things. I had thought “how can they come to Christ with this sin”. And I came up with a way that explains it to me so that I can explain it to others.
“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ,... moreForgiveness
I think one of the hardest things I have had to do is forgive others, to release resentment and to be joyful in the presence of God.
I work in a prison as a counselor, I see all kinds of sinners pass through my unit, men who have done horrible things. I had thought “how can they come to Christ with this sin”. And I came up with a way that explains it to me so that I can explain it to others.
“Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.””
Luke 23:39-43 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.23.39-43.NKJV
The easiest example is the cross, and the criminals who were crucified with Jesus and how one was forgiven.
How no time is to late.
Looking further I came across something I found amazing and that I feel is a good example if I am talking to one of my inmates about Christ. Saul, who became Paul and wrote a large part of the New Testament. Saul held the cloaks of the men who stoned Stephen to death and had homes entered and men and women put in prison.
“Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”
Acts 9:1-2 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/act.9.1-2.NKJV
And was going to Damascus to imprison more when God, spoke to him and changed his life forever. Did that mean everything was fine for him after? NO, but it is not our place to punish.
The Lord decides and when Ananias was called by the Lord to teach him and voiced his concerns.
“But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.””
Acts 9:15-16 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/act.9.15-16.NKJV
Paul, was stoned, beaten, scourged, ship wrecked, and in prisoned.
It is not my place to punish but to show kindness, to not let what their crimes are effect how I treat them, God will handle the punishment.
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:17-21 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.12.17-21.NKJV
CAA Douglas Echternacht
The Priory of the Holy Trinity
Dieu Avec Nous
SGT Parker Pearsall
Priory of the Holy Trinity
Dieu Avec Nous