You’re standing in a field with a line drawn through the middle. There are two sides. On one side is God. Everyone in this world is either on one side or the other. What side do you think you’re on?
As Christians, we often think we’re on God’s side and everyone else is on the other side. Sometimes we like to think we’re better than the other side. Sometimes we like to think liars are on the other side. Sometimes we like to think thieves are on the other side. Sometimes we like to think murderers are on the other side. But this month I learned, Christian or not, we’re all on the other side. None of us are on God’s side. We have all sinned. We all need God’s forgiveness and grace.
This month in Mokhotlong, Lesotho the three teams here have had the privilege to visit and minister at the local prison. The first time we went several teammates/squadmates gave their testimony and a word. Afterwards, anyone who needed prayer could stand up. Around 20 of the prisoners stood up, and we were able to pray for them individually. Bailey, my teammate, and I prayed for two prisoners. When we prayed for the second prisoner we had an interpreter. The interpreter said the prisoner had asked to pray that he would stop doing evil things. We did. I laid my hand on his shoulder, and my entire arm started to tingle. We didn’t know what he had done to get into prison. All I knew is there were thieves to murderers in there.
The next week we came back for a second time. Several more gave their testimony and Hector, another teammate, gave the word. He told the story of Peter and how he denied Jesus three times. Then he went on about how Jesus came back and asked Peter if he loved him three times. Three times Peter said yes. Three times Hector asked the prisoners, “Do you love me?” Eleven said “yes” to the question that day. Eleven accepted Jesus into their heart. Two of the eleven were the two guys Bailey and I prayed for the week before. Again, we had the chance to pray individually with them. I was able to pray for the same guy who asked the week before to pray for him to stop doing evil things. Again, my entire arm tingled as I lay my hand on his shoulder but this time I was able to pray the Armor of God over him. He is now wearing the shield of faith, with which he can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. He is now wearing the helmet of salvation and is carrying the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:16-17). He is righteous and free.
In that moment I realized we are all on the same side and God on the other. No matter who we are or what we did, we all need God’s forgiveness and grace. Just because we’re Christian doesn’t mean we’re on God’s side. It doesn’t make us any better. We have all murdered. We have all tortured. Each one of us caused Jesus to be hung on the cross 2000 years ago.
So next time we condemn someone as a liar, thief, or murderer remember… We murdered too.
We all deserve death, and we’ve all been to prison. Some of us have just been shown the key out. We are called to live in freedom (not behind bars) and to serve one another humbly in love just as Jesus does. (Galatians 5:13).
Jesus asks us, “Do you love me?” If so, he will give you the key because He is the key. He is the key out. He is the key to freedom.
I’ve been set free. Have you?
