One recent Sunday in the jail I discovered that the normal ‘B-pod’
group of inmates I usually meet with were ‘locked down’ due to a fight. The guard ushered in a different group
of 8 or so men instead. After
introducing ourselves and praying I had someone read Romans 1:18-31. As an inmate read the first verse I
suddenly saw something I had never noticed.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness -- of men who suppress the truth in
unrighteousness.”
“Do you guys notice here that God’s wrath is not revealed against
people?” I asked, interrupting the reading. “God’s wrath is against ungodliness and unrighteousness! Wrath is not directed at unbelieving,
deceptive, abusive, lustful or angry men, but against unbelief, deception,
abuse, lust and anger. Does this
sound like good news?”
The men looked up from their bibles with wide eyes, surprised,
even a bit jolted. Suddenly it
dawned on me that I was reading Romans 1 with the sex-offender pod, men who
hadn’t had access to weekly Bible studies due to the danger of mixing them with
other inmates because of their despised, sex-offender status.
This clear differentiation between sin and people is
consistent in the New Testament (see Romans 7:19-20). Jesus is never described as being violent towards people,
but only towards the non-human powers (demons, Satan, certain attitudes (like superiority,
pride), sins, money changing tables...).
This distinction makes it easier for many to approach God for help.
More precisely here, God’s wrath is revealed against the spiritual
states of ungodliness (asebeia),
meaning lack of reverence for God, and unrighteousness (adikia) – which is the
opposite of truth (alethia) and true
righteousness (life in harmony with God’s will & Jesus’ kingdom- “on earth
as in heaven”).
Ungodliness and unrighteousness result from people suppressing
the truth in unrighteousness, rather then welcoming God’s continual
communication to us all.
God’s communicating to all people is emphasized next: “because
that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it
evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen,
being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse”
(1:19-20).
“Do you sense that God is speaking to you? Are you paying
attention to what God is showing and telling you?” The men were all able to
think of examples of the Spirit’s active communication to them, and also of
their suppressing the truth in the midst of daily life. I found myself really inspired to be
even more watchful for God’s Presence in my life too. The next lines offered analysis and some keys to a knowing
the way forward.
“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as
God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their
foolish heart was darkened” (1:21)
Futile speculation, darkness, worshipping and serving
creatures and all evil described in the rest of this passage result from
ignoring the Creator, who gives humans over to the lusts of their hearts (v. 24),
degrading passions (v. 26) and depraved mind (v. 28).
We agreed together to respond to this verse in prayer, speaking
words honoring and thanking God.
This is the way forward in resisting ungodliness and unrighteousness
from the suppression of truth, and I find myself wanting to practice this more
deliberately.
Titus 2:11-12 provides still more encouragement to pay
attention to God’s initiatives towards us, as God’s grace is described as actively
appearing, bringing salvation and instructing:
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing
salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly
desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.”
Our group of unlikely partners came to a place of unusual
clarity and excitement to step into active faith described just prior to all
these verses:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of
God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the
Greek. For in it righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;
as it is written, “but the righteous man shall live by faith.” (1:16-17)
The following week I received a letter from one of the
inmates for that pod. I include an
excerpt here:
“Thank you for coming today,
because our pod is very unlucky when it comes to getting our own time for
church and A.A. I’m sorry to say
that we are lucky that B-pod was locked down today. Otherwise we would have not had that opportunity to see you. Just within this last two months that I’ve
been here I have received Jesus as my Savior and I have this pod to thank for
that. This is the sex offender pod
and before I was brought here whenever I was in another pod or I looked into
here from on the other side of the door I was so judgmental and I talked bad
about this pod. But now that I’m
in here I couldn’t want to be in any other pod. The guys in here are, for the most part saved and born
again. Whenever we get someone new
we suggest Bible studies and the like.
I am not a sex offender but the guys that are in here that are being
charged are facing life and for the most part feel the need for Jesus because
they feel they have very little to live for…. Most people think that these guys
are monsters, but if they were here in the midst of it all would think
differently. They are the most
giving, caring and nice guys around.
If we need something or want it and they can spare it they will 90% of
the time give it to us. Things
like phone calls, commissary items, I-care packages and whatnot all get shared
even when we don’t ask. The pod
has a happy, joyful aura about it that makes things easier being in jail.”
