BREAKING INTO PRISON

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Attempts to break out of prison are not uncommon, but a Florida man endeavored to break INTO the Brevard County Jail. Sylvester Jiles had been released from prison earlier in the week, after serving a sentence for manslaughter. Fearing retribution from the victim’s family, he pleaded with officials to incarcerate him again. When they refused, he proceeded to climb a twelve-foot barbed wire fence surrounding the jail and was arrested. After requiring hospitalization for severe cuts, his wish came true. He was remanded to the “County Hotel,” receiving a 15-year prison sentence for trespassing and resisting an officer. (Source: Yahoo News 3/23/2010)

Can you imagine deliberately determining to forfeit your freedom and place yourself in bondage? But as bizarre as it seems, we all routinely make that choice. When we come to Jesus, he frees us from the bondage of sin. Romans 6:18 declares "Celebrate your freedom from your former master—sin. You’ve left its bondage.” We’re overwhelmed with the joy of our new life. We move forward, basking in the bliss of God's forgiveness and freedom. 

But then we hit a bump in the road-- hard times bombard us. And gradually (or not so gradually) we seek comfort in the world around us: the bottle, the arms of a lover, shopping, over-eating, people-pleasing or controlling others. Before you can say "San Quentin," we find ourselves back in bondage. Breaking our connection with Jesus, we're imprisoned again. Paul warns us, “Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you” (Galatians 5:1).

It’s not about God being angry with us, or casting us into the pit of hell. He wants us to experience the blessings of his freedom. He knows when we chase after the gods of this world for comfort, we’re stepping back into bondage. If you find yourself stressed or sorrowful, lean into Jesus for strength and relief. You’ll discover it’s so much more rewarding than “breaking back into prison.”

  • Under what circumstances am I most likely to "break into prison"?

  • What idol do I most often run to for comfort?

PRAYER: Lord, remind me in the midst of struggles to run to you, rather than turning to the gods of this world. 

Barney Cargile