We then that are strong out to bear
the infirmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves.
Romans 15:1
I thank the Lord for the church He has planted behind the walls of the maximum security prison I live in...
the infirmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves.
Romans 15:1
I thank the Lord for the church He has planted behind the walls of the maximum security prison I live in...
I can see, especially in this kind of environment, how the body of Christ (the church), with our regular fellowship gatherings, worship services, Bible studies and prayer meetings, all help to provide the much needed structure for lives that would otherwise be unmanageable.
The church, and our need for accountability with one another, helps to curb addictive behaviors and other self-destructive ways. I say this because many of those who are incarcerated often have difficulty mastering self-control and self-discipline. And this is why they sometimes get into trouble. This is both true on the outside where a man will break the laws of society, and it occurs as well on the inside where he would break the rules of the facility. Oftentimes various negative behavior patterns win out. But now that these men are in Christ and are attending church, slowly, but surely, their lives are changing for the better. Simply put, they're learning how to behave. And I can say the same for myself.
Of course these changes for the better do not happen overnight. There are slips and falls along the way. But, little by little, men like myself are learning the importance of obeying the rules, and how to do so, as well. And a big part of this is because, as a church family we hold each other accountable. By the grace of God we bear one another's burdens while making sincere efforts to keep each other in line. Indeed this involves being my brother's keeper by taking an active and caring role in his life. It also requires tough love, but it works!
D.B.
The church, and our need for accountability with one another, helps to curb addictive behaviors and other self-destructive ways. I say this because many of those who are incarcerated often have difficulty mastering self-control and self-discipline. And this is why they sometimes get into trouble. This is both true on the outside where a man will break the laws of society, and it occurs as well on the inside where he would break the rules of the facility. Oftentimes various negative behavior patterns win out. But now that these men are in Christ and are attending church, slowly, but surely, their lives are changing for the better. Simply put, they're learning how to behave. And I can say the same for myself.
Of course these changes for the better do not happen overnight. There are slips and falls along the way. But, little by little, men like myself are learning the importance of obeying the rules, and how to do so, as well. And a big part of this is because, as a church family we hold each other accountable. By the grace of God we bear one another's burdens while making sincere efforts to keep each other in line. Indeed this involves being my brother's keeper by taking an active and caring role in his life. It also requires tough love, but it works!
D.B.
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