Why Am I In Prison?

Why Am I In Prison?

The reader of this article should know that I have ministered in a local jail, a juvenile detention center, and also in an adult detention center. Therefore, I have some personal knowledge about what goes inside the walls. I have seen the hardened and hopeless faces and heard the terrifying and sad stories, but also have seen many lives changed, even those who have spent most of their adult life behind bars. I outlined much of this material while I was in the ministry to prisoners.

If you are like most who are incarcerated, you are probably blaming other people for your being behind the bars. You may blame your attorney, the judge, your friend, your parents, or even God, Himself. However, most likely ... you have REBELLED against AUTHORITY!!!!!!

What is the source for ALL AUTHORITY???

SUGGESTED ANSWERS:

1. Power = Whoever is the strongest takes the authority.
2. Wealth = Whoever is rich can buy the authority.
3. Intelligence = Whoever is the smartest gains the authority.
4. Determination = Whoever has the strongest will gets the authority.
5. Age = Whoever is oldest gains the most authority.

NONE of the above answers are correct!!! They are only part true.

The Only True Answer is JESUS.

EXPLANATION:

* God has the supreme right to rule because He is the creator. Genesis 1:1-31, John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16-17.
* Therefore, God does rule: "... the most High (God) ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will" (Daniel 4:32). "Let every soul be subject unto higher powers. For there is no power (authority) but God: the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13:1).
* God, the Father, gave Jesus, the Son, all authority. Jesus said, "All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come" (Ephesians 1:19-21).
* The greatest wrong (sin) that you have already done or can ever do is to REJECT the authority of Jesus in your life! John 16:8-9, Matthew 12:28:32, Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:8-10.
* No one's prayers can save you from consequences of this sin. It begins with the death of your spirit inside you, but eventually leads to the second death (the lake of fire) unless you repent, seek forgiveness, and trust Jesus to be your lord. John 8:24, I John 5:16-17, Revelation 20:13-14. WARNING! Repentance alone is not enough. Acts 20:21.

WHAT MUST YOU DO TO BE FORGIVEN?

1. Let Jesus become your LORD (ruler of your life). Romans 10:9 and Philippians 2:9-11.
2. Ask JESUS to forgive you of all your sin. Acts 5:31, I John 1:9.
3. Ask Jesus to come and live inside you by his Spirit and give you his new life. John 10:28, I Peter 1:23.

THEN YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT:

1. You are to respect and obey ALL that are in Authority over you. Romans 13:1-7, Hebrew 13:17.
2. Your response to the authority over you is also your response to God. Numbers 12:1-16, 16:1-35.
3. God BLESSES those who obey authorities, but allows Satan to bring a curse on those who disobey. Deuteronomy 30:19, John 10:10.

YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT GOD WORKS THROUGH AUTHORITY.

God is the true authority	False authority
Delegated Authority	Assumed Authority
JESUS	SATAN
1. Family = Ephesians 5:21-24, 6:1-3. 2. Church = Hebrews 13:17. 3. Government = Romans 13:1-7. 4. Business = Ephesians 6:5-9.	Satan rebelled toward God's authority = Isaiah 14:12-15. Revelation 12:7-9.
Proper Response to Authority 1. Trusting 2. Teachable 3. Humble 4. Servant	Improper Response to Authority 1. Fearful 2. Stubborn 3. Prideful 4. Tyrant
God works through the authority 1. To give us protection from the enemy. 2. To give us provision in the face of the enemy. 3. To give us power over the enemy. 4. To give us promotion in the kingdom.	Satan works in our life 1. To bring our destruction. 2. To bring us to poverty. 3. To make us impotent (powerless). 4. To demote us.
Light and Life comes through obedience.	Darkness and death comes through rebellion.

If you still are having trouble seeing the truth, maybe you should ask God to show it to you. "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my disquieting thoughts: And see if there be any way of pain in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalms 139:23-24 a literal translation). This means that you ask God to show you the conflicts on the inside and the emotional wounds and lead you to freedom and healing. Where you are is not so important as to where God wants to take you. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (I Corinthians 6:9-11).

See: Defense Mechanisms, The Bondage Of Unforgiveness, Life Is Unfair!, Getting A Clear Conscience, Why Some Fall Into The Pit, Understanding Bruises.

NOW, just MAYBE you have already made Jesus Lord and just maybe you are innocent and was framed. Maybe you are like Joseph who was sold by his brothers as a slave and was falsely accused by the wife of the Pharaoh. If so, what does God want to work in your life through the experience? Joseph told his brothers, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Genesis 50:20).

1. God is still in charge.
2. Nothing that has happened has surprised Him.
3. He is still able to work all things together for your good and His glory.
4. God has not left you or forsaken you.
5. He wants you to learn to live by His grace no matter what the circumstances are.

See: The Bondage Of Unforgiveness, Seeing The Supernatural, The Suffering Issue, The Ability To Live, Understanding Bruises, Healing For The Emotions.