Ted always felt the chilling grip of the prison walls as he walked into the state penitentiary, but still, he returned nearly every week. In his heart was a deep desire to help the men behind bars who were bound, not with actual metal chains, but with the chains of sin. He knew the Lord Jesus Christ was the only person who could break those chains of sin.
As the prisoners walked into the chapel that evening, Ted noticed that one man’s face looked quite different compared with the glum expressions of the others. Jim’s face was “alive” with a glow of joy in his eyes. Ted felt that something special must have happened to Jim. Perhaps he is going to receive a parole or something, he thought to himself.
Later, after the meeting, Jim came up to Ted and said he’d like to tell Ted something about his past life, and this is the story he related: “When I was only five years old my parents deserted us kids. So we were cared for in foster homes. As time went by I was moved from one place to another. Sometimes a couple would come to visit these places, looking for a child to adopt so they could have a boy or girl to raise and love as their own child.
“As I watched these people looking over the group, I always hoped that I’d be the one they would adopt and give a home to, so I’d have someone to call ‘Mom and Dad.’ As the years passed that hope grew into a burning desire to ‘belong.’ I would ask the matron, Will somebody ever adopt me?’ She would have to say, ‘Well, I just don’t know, Jim, maybe someday you will be chosen.’ But it never happened.
“In all those foster homes no one ever told me about Jesus. The only thing I remember in the way of prayer was what one house mother taught me — ‘Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray Thee, Lord, my soul to keep. Amen.’ It seemed the Lord answered that simple prayer in spite of all.
“As I grew older I got into trouble and was put in detention homes, then in reform schools, then in jails, till finally I landed in the penitentiary. God saved me about two years ago while I was being held for trial in the county jail. A man came there with a Bible and spoke to us of the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I accepted Him as my Saviour.
“The other day as I was reading in my Bible in Romans 8:14-1714For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:14‑17), it suddenly dawned on me, I finally had been chosen! I was adopted into the family of God, and God is my Father. I am His child! No one else would have me as theirs, but God adopted me, and I belong to Him.”
We had a happy time together there in that prison. We gladly talked of the wonderful promise that all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Saviour are adopted into God’s family. They are His children, and soon will inherit their home in heaven forever!
“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, besides Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him.” Isaiah 64:44For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. (Isaiah 64:4).
ML-04/30/1989