Lives on the Line

Men that have hazarded their lives for
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 15:26

For the most part, many of my fellow Christians who live outside of prison have no idea what it's like to serve God in such an environment...

It irks me whenever I hear of incarcerated men and women being cold-shouldered and ostracized by Christians on the outside for claiming to have become followers of the Lord. For if those on the outside really knew what the average Christian has to face while in confinement, perhaps their indifference and distrust would instead become admiration.

For example, those who have renounced their former gang affiliations in order to follow Christ, may face varying degrees of danger from those who are still active in gang membership, and would view such converts to Christ as traitors. Leaving the gang one had been a member of is usually not treated as something of little consequence. As being in a gang is much like being in a cult, when you wish to leave the group you're putting your life on the line.

Oftentimes, there is reprisal, either of the physical or psychological type; usually both. There's pressure put upon the individual to stay with the gang. To resist may mean being bullied, harassed or hurt.

Unfortunately, many of my fellow Christians are unaware of this, and it is very sad. If only they knew what one may face in prison when he decides to follow Jesus.

D.B.