Back in the day, I remember Bishop T.D. Jakes preaching a sermon hat still resonates with me today. He reminded those in attendance that a good portion of the bible was written from a jail cell. Recollection has me thinking he was telling his followers about the church’s outreach prison ministry, which I understand to be significant. I just so happened to be struck by the reality of God’s Word and direction coming from the faith deep of those imprisoned. The concept of inspired revelation from jail has never left me. What is it about being a walking talking believer that scares the heaven out of those in power so much, that a jail cell is an inevitable and practical answer? History suggests that professing one’s belief in Jesus Christ as Lord can literally be a death sentence. The bible teaches us that eventually our faith will be put to the ultimate test. Have you ever wondered why God’s teachings are so feared by those of other religions?
I used to say Jesus’ message made so much sense that even if He didn’t exist, we should invent Him. Now that I’m saved, I guess you could say I’m a candidate for assassination; if not literally, certainly figuratively. My point, as I was intrigued by Bishop Jakes’ reference, is that I don’t view myself as a threat to anyone, never have; particularly when it comes to my belief in one God, the Holy Trinity and the truth of Jesus Christ. It’s sometimes difficult to realize the world in which I live views me in this manner. I suppose a larger issue ought to be, have I done anything that would land me in jail? The jail I’m referring to is defined by me as that spiritual place that present day Sadducees and Pharisees want to send people like me.
If I haven’t said or done anything to get sentenced then maybe I better get going, stir some things up. In their day, the apostles, Paul and the others were the threats to the establishment about which I speak. That meant governments and principalities, as well as church hierarchy of that day. If nothing else, I don’t think anyone would argue that on His worst day, Jesus was a quintessential revolutionary. It still amazes me how such principles like unconditional love for humankind got Him killed. And then it always hits me that this kind of “we’re all in this together” view of the world will be attacked and undermined by entrenched institutionalized power of all kinds. That’s when I am forced to understand that if you are a believer in Christ, you are most certainly a threat to those who overvalue that which is of this world. Man craves power and Christianity abdicates all power to Jehovah. We stand as representatives of that truth and stand trial everyday with the world as judge and jury. That explains that target on the backs of believers throughout history and the one on ours today. All I can encourage you to do in the face of all this is to stay the course and know that our defense attorney has already won this case. The prosecution lost. So when you’re in your cell all alone, remember the war is over. The verdict is in. The battle will pass. We won.
May God bless and keep you always.
James, jaws@dallasweekly.com