I’ve been reflecting recently on how grace fits within today’s laws and where justice comes into play.
Recently I met a young man who’d unfortunately made some serious mistakes and was facing jail.
As I began to talk to him I had an overwhelming sense from God that I should pray for him and plead with God to take away his jail sentence. As the conversation developed and I asked if I could pray for him, it sparked a huge conversation about having a faith in God. The conversation ended with the agreement that if the jail sentence was cancelled then it must have been God’s doing. My prayer is that I will see this young man next week and he can tell me that God has done a miracle in his life.
This is a very hard subject to talk about because I know people would argue with me and say ‘where’s the justice in that?’. In many ways I would agree with people like that and say that wrong actions have consequences and in this case a jail sentence is deserved.
However if I could choose between a young person going to jail or a young person experiencing God’s miraculous power in his life which changes him for ever, resulting in a new life which seeks to love God and others. I would choose God’s intervention every time.
One of the aims within my youth ministry is that I help young people experience God and if I think I can help this young man see God’s grace in his own life then I reckon I’m doing the right thing.
What do you think?
Simon Bentley is on his 2nd year placement with Nottingham YfC
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