Be Forgiven, and Spread Forgiveness.

Thirty days ago, I sat in the high school auditorium and listened to two convicted felons who are under the care of the State of Texas give their testimonies. Now, they did not call them “testimonies” they simply called them stories, and I am only positive that one of them was giving a testimony. This particular man was in his 30s I believe, thin, tall and handsome. He spoke and carried himself well. The only thing that was not “normal” about him was his clothing. He was wearing the white baggy uniform that all wards of the state wear. However, he looked like someone who should be wearing some jeans and a shirt just like the rest of us. 

As he began his story, I prayed that the kids around me would receive his words with open hearts. I now pray the same for you.  

He explained that he had been to the pen before for something in relation to drinking, drugs, and possibly drinking and driving. He had gotten out in August-- I believe. He was doing good, no alcohol or drugs since he had been out. For Christmas his entire family was going to come down since they had not seen him in several years. A few days before Christmas some of his friends were throwing a party for him, to celebrate him being home. Unfortunately, while he was at the party he consumed alcohol and the addiction flared its ugly head. Things went down hill from there. I cannot explain the story exactly, because I only heard it once and the human memory fades things. 

He told us with much agony in his voice that he had gotten high and wasted, and got a hotel room because he was too ashamed to go home to his family. It was now Christmas Eve. His family texted and called, texted and called but guilt would not allow him to answer them. They were telling him that they loved him, to come home, that everything would be okay. He felt as though he had let them down once again, so he ignored their calls. The next thing he did was drive across the street to the liquor store where he bought several more jugs of alcohol-- he intended to use these to make himself pass out so he could wake up the next morning and deal with everything. I believe that by now it was Christmas day. He took his new liquor back to the hotel room and downed two of the bottles (I believe it was two, it may not have been though). Instead of passing out though, he got back into his truck. When he said this my heart dropped!

He explained that he would drive, and then black out and he would wake up in a new place not knowing how or when he got there. Apparently this happened many times. Each time he woke up and started driving again. Finally, the inevitable happened. He woke up and saw a police officer in his side view mirror. As he examined his surroundings, he saw that the officer had already gone through his pockets and everything in his truck. He also noticed that there was blood streaked down the side of his truck. He said he did not know what had happened but he knew it must have been bad. 

His father was the sheriff of the town at that time. It was Christmas morning. He had hit an elderly woman who he knew as she was walking across the street. She was life flighted to the hospital, but she did not make it. 

His dad and brother showed up while he was cuffed on the tail gate of his truck. At this point he blacked out again, and apparently tried to run away. His father and brother had to tackle him to the ground. He says he still remembers the way that his dad looked when he turned him over. He saw fear and love at the same time. His dad loved him because he was his son who was so dear to him. But he was also afraid because he was unable to recognize him. 

After he got to jail, he said he would black out and when he would wake up someone was always there asking about the woman he had killed. It baffled him, he could not figure out what happened. Every time he would get close to putting the pieces together he would black out again. They transferred him a few times, and finally he got to a cell with a tv. When he woke up, he turned the news channel on. His picture and the whole story was there. It was at this point that he found out he had killed an elderly woman who used to walk every where in the community. It was a lady he had known. From the way he explained the story, it is evident that his heart was and is broken over what happened that morning. 

Thankfully, some ministers from his town went to visit him. He found Jesus. He has a strong support group on the outside. His family still loves him. He has a hope and a future.

I believe with all of my heart that he was sincere. That he sincerely loves the Lord, and that he is sincerely seeking His face. However, as a I walked through school and sat through classes I heard many different views of this man. A lot of the kids said they doubted that he will make it when he gets out of prison. I pray that he will! Many of them said he will just go right back to the drugs and alcohol. I pray that he will be set free from ALL addictions and strongholds! Unfortunately, our society is now based highly on being critical, negative and pessimistic. THIS IS SAD. Now don’t get me wrong, there were kids who were touched by his story. Who believe that he can and will make it. And are rooting for him. And I am sure that there are some who examined their own lives and decisions because of what he told us. The Bible says that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Who are we to think that just because we didn’t drive drunk and end up taking someone’s life that we are better than a man who did? I have news for you, you are no better than he is! None of us can ever accomplish anything by ourselves! It is through Christ’s blood that we are made righteous. Thank God that His Son died for our sins! 

James 2 verse 10 says:

For whoever keeps the entire law, yet fails in one point is guilty of [breaking it] all.

This means that if I lie, I have sinned the same amount in God’s eyes as committing adultery, murder, or anything else that we often view as much worse than lying. By God’s grace, we are all set free from the law. This is done through Christ’s sacrifice for us. We are all free, not one of us is more free than the other. Romans explains that where sin is there grace abounds much more. However, in chapter 6 it states:

1What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Please go and read the rest of these verses. They are good. So what we now know is, we are all sinners. We are all equal sinners. But through Christ we are all sanctified. We also know that if we truly die to ourselves and live through Christ that we will not continue to walk in our repetitive sins. 

For these reasons, we cannot judge others and say “he won’t make it”, “he isn’t really saved” or anything else about their being. For who knows our hearts except the Father? I do not even know my own heart. Merely what is spewed from my mouth, since my mouth is an overflow of my heart-- Lord help me! Rather than judge one another, why not lift each other up in prayer. I hope that one day, our world will truly see the King in all of His glory! That we may know His face, and shine His light to the rest of the world.

I challenge you today-- go and pray for anyone who you think is on a bad path, who is struggling with something, or who you think is lost and hopeless. God chooses the most unworthy people to be his Disciples. Just look at Paul. God turned his life around. I believe He can and will do the same for any man who seeks His face. 

Lets pray that our nation sees His true beauty and follows Him for a change. Obviously our ways are only leading to hurt and destruction.