"But God has demonstrated his deep love towards us,
in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Dear Bill*...
in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Dear Bill*...
Thank you for your letter. Your background and what brings us together now is unique. It's not often, if ever, that a convicted felon doing time in prison, would receive a friendly letter from a retired police officer. But as the popular saying goes, "God sometimes works in mysterious ways." Yes, He does!
Reading your letter and thinking of my own situation, I have to say that God has brought the both of us a long way. And while our backgrounds are different, the holy Bible lets us know that "all have sinned." We've all failed to live up to God's standard of righteousness. "For everyone has committed sins, and there is no one who is righteous in God's eyes" (Romans 3:10).
And so it stands that we are all guilty of breaking God's laws. Some, like myself, may have broken more laws than others. But in the end, we are still lawbreakers. Therefore, all of humanity is guilty before a holy God.
This also means that everyone is in need of God's forgiveness. Which, according to the Scriptures, can only come by repenting of our sins and placing our faith and trust on God's Son Jesus, and upon His finished work on Calvary's cross. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 ESV).
I have my regrets, and you have yours. We both wish we could take back our mistakes and misdeeds, and make the right decisions this time. We both regret the harm and pain we caused others. Me by my violent acts, and you, by your drinking.
I pray you will continue to follow Christ. And should you stumble along the way, just call upon the Lord Jesus and ask for His forgiveness. He will never turn you away. As the Bible states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 KJV).
God bless you, Bill. My best to you.
Sincerely, David Berkowitz
*Bill is not his real name.
Reading your letter and thinking of my own situation, I have to say that God has brought the both of us a long way. And while our backgrounds are different, the holy Bible lets us know that "all have sinned." We've all failed to live up to God's standard of righteousness. "For everyone has committed sins, and there is no one who is righteous in God's eyes" (Romans 3:10).
And so it stands that we are all guilty of breaking God's laws. Some, like myself, may have broken more laws than others. But in the end, we are still lawbreakers. Therefore, all of humanity is guilty before a holy God.
This also means that everyone is in need of God's forgiveness. Which, according to the Scriptures, can only come by repenting of our sins and placing our faith and trust on God's Son Jesus, and upon His finished work on Calvary's cross. "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12 ESV).
I have my regrets, and you have yours. We both wish we could take back our mistakes and misdeeds, and make the right decisions this time. We both regret the harm and pain we caused others. Me by my violent acts, and you, by your drinking.
I pray you will continue to follow Christ. And should you stumble along the way, just call upon the Lord Jesus and ask for His forgiveness. He will never turn you away. As the Bible states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse of our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 KJV).
God bless you, Bill. My best to you.
Sincerely, David Berkowitz
*Bill is not his real name.