Chaplaincy’s True Power is Discovered in Redemption
I am not sure how many Christians or non-Christians understand the term ‘redemption?’ They may have heard it, seen it, or even studied its meaning but never fully comprehended the depth and width of its divine power and glory. Hodges gives a fundamental understanding of redemption.
The idea running through all these texts,1 however various their reference, is that of payment made for our redemption. The debt against us is not viewed as simply cancelled but is fully paid. Christ's blood or life, which he surrendered for them, is the “ransom” by which the deliverance of his people from the servitude of sin and from its penal consequences is secured. It is the plain doctrine of Scripture that “Christ saves us neither by the mere exercise of power, nor by his doctrine, nor by his example, nor by the moral influence which he exerted, nor by any subjective influence on his people, whether natural or mystical, but as a satisfaction to divine justice, as an expiation for sin, and as a ransom from the curse and authority of the law, thus reconciling us to God by making it consistent with his perfection to exercise mercy toward sinners” (Hodge's Systematic Theology).
It is no secret that many religious organizations provide prison volunteers simply to count the number of souls entering heaven. But Paul’s understanding of a man saved in prison was not a numbers game but one filled with the limitless and matchless grace of God. He writes, “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. I am sending him-who is my very heart-back to you.” Onesimus was not a statistic, a mere number and reason to boast. He was the very heart and soul of Paul’s life and love for Jesus Christ.
There is no other program, power or person in this world or the world to come that can take the worst of a criminal and transform him into a person beloved by the church. Chaplains have this wonderful privilege of watching lives redeemed from the muck and mire of the world’s sinful ways to become like sons and daughters to them. Jesus said in Luke 7:47, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.” The love of a Chaplain for a sinful wretched person who has been redeemed by the grace of God is priceless and the true power of chaplaincy as seen in the eyes of God.
A Chaplain must have this kind of passionate heart for prisoners and the ministry of the Gospel. Without this passion, over time, those inmates who fake salvation in order to gain favor, manipulate the system to achieve parole or seek a free handout from the church will disappoint, discourage and drain the chaplain’s soul.
Not only will the chaplain become tainted but the Administration will have another reason to question the need for religion as an essential element of inmate treatment. Jail House Religion has long been the joke of corrections that chaplains must endure on a continual basis. Laughter, mockery and embarrassing the chaplain because of fake Christianity continues to be the thorn of inmate treatment through redemption. As the age grows darker some prisons have sought to simply remove religion from the venue of offender rehabilitation. That is why it is imperative that Chaplaincy discover its true power and purpose for its existence.
In Christianity, repentance is a fundamental aspect of the faith, signifying a sincere turning away from sin and self, and a turning towards God. It involves a profound change of mind and heart, leading to a transformation in one's actions and life direction. Repentance is not merely a one-time act but a continuous process that reflects the Christian commitment to a holy life. It is deeply rooted in the recognition of God's sovereignty and the acknowledgment of one's sinfulness, necessitating God's grace for redemption. This concept is encapsulated in the Greek term 'metanoia', [metanoia] which implies a complete change of mind and direction. The significance of repentance is also emphasized by Jesus' call to repentance as an understanding of the need for salvation when one is called to deliverance from sin. It is an expression of genuine contrition and the desire to align one's life with God's will, leading to spiritual renewal and salvation.
Confession is a pivotal element in the Christian practice of repentance. It serves as the act of acknowledging one's sins and transgressions in the presence of God, which is essential for receiving forgiveness and healing. Confession promotes humility and accountability, allowing individuals to confront their wrongdoings openly and seek divine mercy. It is not just a personal endeavor but also strengthens the communal bonds within the church, as believers support each other in their spiritual journeys. Through confession, Christians express their earnest desire to turn away from sin and align themselves with God's will, thereby purifying their hearts and renewing their commitment to a godly life. This act of verbalizing one's faults is a step towards restoration and plays a crucial role in the transformative process of repentance, leading to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God.
I am sure that many chaplains providing volunteers for Sunday worship have recognized that many religious organization volunteers simply count the number of souls entering heaven. In fact, one time I observed a service where there was a volunteer who would not stop the service until one inmate was saved. That night one of the more powerful inmates stood up and said, “One of you better get saved because I must go to the toilet.” At least three or four hands went up. That volunteer submitted the numbers saved on his report.
Chaplains must be constant in presenting studies, books, interviews, small group interaction about redemption. There are many four step tracks and books still circulating the Christian community. Unfortunately, many fail to fully grasp what they are repenting from, why they are repenting, who are they repenting to, etc. The elect of God is called after fertile tilling of the would-be saints in the harvest fields of God’s glory. I am sure there are those reading this who can remember those ‘God moments’ when your thoughts began to change, your life was a mess, but help arrived, etc. Tilling the soil for a life-changing transformation is important. It should be the motto of the Sunday sermons for the chaplain.
Paul’s understanding of a man saved in prison was not a numbers game but one filled with the limitless and matchless grace of God. He writes, “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while (while does not mean immediate, but over time) I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become (he has become, not overnight) useful both to you and to me. I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.” Onesimus was not a statistic, a mere number and reason to boast. He was the very heart and soul of Paul’s life and love for Jesus Christ. Onesimus was turned over perhaps by hearing the house services he was not allowed to attend. His search for an answer was God’s providential moment when placed in house arrest with Paul.
There is no other program, power or person in this world that can take the worst of a criminal and transform him into a person beloved by the church. Chaplains have this wonderful privilege of watching lives after times of testing redeemed from the muck and mire of the world’s sinful ways to become like sons and daughters to them. Jesus said in Luke 7:47, “Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, [the same] loveth little.” The love of a Chaplain for a sinful wretched person who has been redeemed by the grace of God is priceless and the true power of chaplaincy as seen in the eyes of God.
Which once again brings us to the idea of redemption. An inmate will enter the ‘jail house religion’ circle’ of salvation claiming to be saved. Then the moment comes when the Officers tells the chaplain exactly how they behave on the housing unit. The inmates think salvation is a joke to be used as a tool for special privileges. Often the chaplain will turn their back to the inmate forgetting the need for the soil to be fertilized with the consequences of turning from God. It takes time to nurture the worst of the worst to understand redemption in the salvation story.
A Chaplain must have this kind of passionate heart for prisoners and the ministry of presenting the Gospel. Without this passion, over time, those inmates who fake salvation to gain favor, manipulate the system to achieve parole or seek a free handout from the church will disappoint, discourage and drain the chaplain’s soul. This is why they need to hear the complete message of repentance, acceptance, and submission to the call of God when “HE” calls to them opening their eyes to the complete need, process, and assurance of eternal life.
Jail House Religion has long been the joke of corrections that chaplains must endure on a continual basis. Laughter, mockery and embarrassing the chaplain because of fake Christianity continues to be the thorn of inmate treatment through redemption. As the age grows darker some prisons have sought to simply remove religion from the venue of offender rehabilitation. That is why it is imperative that Chaplaincy discover its true power and purpose for its existence. And more importantly, the true path of salvation is narrow, filled with trials, almost impossible to believe and endure, unless they have fully grasped what God’s redemption truly means.
[1] (Comp. Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; Galatians 3:13; 4:4, 5; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:12; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Revelation 5:9).
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