From Prison Walls to Amazing Grace

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15

Paul had a healthy and realistic perspective of who he was and what he had become because of Jesus. In this letter to Timothy, Paul goes on to tell Timothy about the great patience Jesus displayed as his "Saul" character transitioned to "Paul." God chose not to punish Paul for his wicked acts but to extend grace to him and allow him to be an example of God's patience and love towards sinners. When Saul met Jesus, he became friends with God and discovered that God was far different than what he had previously assumed he was like. Through his relationship with Jesus, Paul discovered God had always loved him and had been patiently waiting for him to repent. 

In recent months we have prayed for M who was a political prisoner in her country. Weekly court appearances for several months resulted in a 30 day prison sentence in conditions unsuitable for human habitation. While in prison M was able to minister to many believers and to lead several other women into a relationship with Jesus. She recently told me, the prisoners of other religious backgrounds often ask the believers what makes them different? The disciples of Jesus seem so much better equipped to survive and even thrive in the horrible prison conditions. 

One characteristic of being a good disciple is to be a person who reflects the person and presence of Christ. The presence of Christ is the Holy Spirit who is resident within us, changing us from the inside out. We may not have done the terrible things that Paul did before his encounter with Jesus, but we all start out as sinners and we never fully overcome the sin nature that lurks within us. Nevertheless, we can grow in grace and, like Jesus and Paul, extend grace and patience to sinners who have not yet encountered Jesus personally. When this extension of love and grace is done through personal relationships or in small discipleship groups, sinners experience first hand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus because they see Jesus' presence reflected in the things we say, the things we do and through the love and patience we have for them as they transition from sinner to saint.