October 31, 2005

[Rev. Doc]

In Our Place

"But god demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8

Chuck Colson, of Prison Fellowship, tells about a prison in Sao Do Campos, Brazil, which was turned over to two Christians more than twenty years ago. It is run according to Christian principles. The prison only has two people on its staff. The inmates do everything else. Each prisoner has another to whom he is accountable. Every prisoner goes to chapel or takes a course in character formation. Each prisoner is assigned to a volunteer family outside the prison that makes him a part of their family. The rate of return for crimes after release is 4% compared to 75% in other Brazilian prisons.

When Colson visited the prison to discover the secret of their success, a prisoner took him to what at one time was an isolation cell. When they got there, the prisoner asked Colson if he wanted to go in. He said, "Yes." When the door opened, Colson saw a beautifully carved wooden figure of Jesus hanging on the cross. The prisoner pointed to the figure of Jesus and whispered, "He’s doing time for all of us."...

Prayer: Ask God to help you always remember Christ paid the price for your sins.

"The Gospel is good news of mercy to the undeserving. The symbol of the religion of Jesus is the cross, not the scales."
~John R. W. Stott