I’m Forgiven

 

 

Somewhere in time, on April 21^st, 2012, Charles (Chuck) Colson died.  In the early 1970’s there was a political scandal in America.  The scandal was called Watergate and Chuck Colson was one of the key players.  I will admit that while I was alive when this was happening, I was a child, so I heard about it, but I didn’t totally understand it all.  I do know that Chuck Colson had to testify and there were several months of trials and I’m sure it was very stressful.  During this time, he became a Christian.

Many people in the press went after him more for making a profession of faith during this time than they did for the events he was accused of.  Many thought it was a ploy to get him out of some hot water.  Both they were wrong, it was the real deal.  Chuck Colson had found Christ.

I have found that God doesn’t cause bad things to happen to us, but he does use them.  The choices that Mr. Colson made and the friendships he kept were responsible for the trouble he was in, but God used this to open his eyes to his need for a Savior. 

In 1974, Chuck Colson entered a guilty plea in the Watergate investigation to the charge of obstruction of justice.  That same year he entered Maxwell Federal Prison in Alabama.  He was sentenced to one to three years for his crimes. 

Prison was an eye opening experience.  He became a Christian before going to prison and God was able to give him a compassion for his fellow inmates.  He gave him a burden to reach them and bring them hope.  It helped that he had been where they were, he understood and he cared. 

1 John 1:8-9 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

This compassion caused him to create Prison Fellowship.  He visited hundreds of prisons every year encouraging the prisoners and giving them the good news that with God all sins are forgiven.  It was possible to start over with a clean slate. 

All of us have an experience, something we have gone through. Something God can use to show other people the way to him.  Sometimes it’s better not to be ashamed of your scars, it’s better to tell the story of why the wounds don’t hurt anymore and the one who brought healing and salvation.

 

Sanctus Real - Forgiven [Official Music Video] from sanctus-real on GodTube.