Reoffending rates reach record high

 

The prison population is rising. The need to find alternative punishments to prison is seen as a priority. Now, recent statistics suggest that reoffending is rising – figures of 44% are quoted for 2011, that is, people convicted who have 15 or more previous offences on their record. Is this solely down to social factors of deprivation, poor parenting, drugs, and alcohol? Is the economic downturn to blame for people turning to crime? We have had government initiative after government initiative to attempt to break the trend. Whether there has been some success in a reduction in the number of offenders being processed by the criminal justice system remains to be seen.

This is a very serious issue for society as a whole and for us in particular. What is it that leads all of us to commit crime? It might be that speeding ticket. It might be that parking ticket. I may be that bit of bullying in the classroom or the workplace. We make excuses. We seek to explain our behaviour by criticising the speed limits, getting angry with the parking officers, or saying that we were “under pressure”. After all, or so the saying goes, these are minor things. They are not as serious as rape or murder.

However, the Bible is clear. It calls all these things “sin”. Not a modern word, but definitely a very up-to-date problem! In the same way, the Bible tells us that we have all sinned. We have all failed to reach God’s standards, never mind failing to reach society’s standards. We all stand guilty before the bar in God’s courtroom. We are condemned. The concern is that perhaps we don’t appreciate how serious that is. If we speed, we get a fine and three points on our licence. If we commit a parking offence we get a £25 fine, or perhaps more. Even more serious offences do not seem to be heavily punished, according to some newspapers. God’s punishment for our sins is far more serious. It can bar us from God’s presence for eternity. It can mean our place under God’s punishment for ever. That is no short-term matter. What are we going to do about our sin and its consequences?

God has provided an answer. In the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, He has provided a way of escape. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is God’s mediator. He “gave himself a ransom for all”. Through His death and resurrection we can be forgiven. We can escape the penalty of our sin. Will you accept Him as your Saviour?

Financial Crisis

You may have listened to, or watched, the news about the debt crisis in Greece. After negotiating a deal to provide bail out funding from the EU, the Greek electorate has voted in politicians who disagree with these proposed measures. A major economic crisis across Europe is looming again.

What is the problem? To put the situation into terms that many will understand, it would be the same as if I borrowed more money than I was capable of paying back. We all receive information about credit cards, bank loans, overdraft opportunities, and “interest free credit” options. How easy it is to borrow money and get into serious debt. The problem is that there comes a “day of reckoning” when the debt has to be faced, and the creditors satisfied.

Sadly, many people get themselves into serious financial difficulties. Managing their money is really difficult and to finance a holiday, or the Christmas family presents, they get into debt.

I wonder if we’ve ever added up the debt we owe to God. As we live our life to please ourselves and exclude God from day to day, what debt are we generating? Sin, as the Bible tells us, is putting “me” first. Shutting God out of my life and failing to do as He desires. Such behaviour is racking up a massive debt with God.

In reality we cannot pay back what we owe. Whatever effort we make to “change our ways”, “turn over a new leaf”, or do better cannot wipe out the debt. It is too great. Either we will have to face the consequences of that debt ourselves or look to another to help us. The choice is stark but simple. If we face the debt ourselves, we will suffer God’s judgement for our sin and guilt. However, in grace, God has provided another to bear the debt, the burden, of our sin and guilt – the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His death on the cross nearly 2000 years ago, our debt can be cancelled and our guilt removed.

What are you going to do about your debt crisis?

Breaches of the highest degree of trust

Photo taken from www.free-city-guides.com

The Independent newspaper used these words, attributed to the judge in the case, about a former union leader who had been sentenced to four years in jail for his part in a complex fraud. A man who had risen to prominence by the support of his working colleagues had been given a position of responsibility and trust. That trust he had betrayed for personal gain and was now to face the consequences of his actions. It is sad to see any man fall. It is even sadder to think of those whose trust has now been lost and whose loyalty seems to have been misplaced. What of the monies that should have gone to deserving members or their relatives?

Perhaps we should take a note of the words of the Bible. The psalmist wrote, 'It is better to trust in the Lord [God] than to put confidence in man', Psalm 118 verse 8. The wise man, King Solomon, wrote, 'whoso putteth his trust in the Lord [God] shall be safe', Proverbs 29 verse 25. I wonder what you are putting your trust in. As to the matter of where we came from, our origins and beginnings, do we put our trust in men of science or do we put our trust in God, the creator of all things? As to where we shall go when we die, do we trust the new atheism of men that says we've only got one life let's live it? Or, do we put our trust in God and what His word, the Bible, says?

We all have a decision to make. Who can we trust? Are men reliable? The saying goes, 'Even the best of men are only men at best'! The Bible makes this comment, 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding', Proverbs 3 verse 5. We can have confidence in God as He never fails. He has provided a Saviour to pay the penalty for our sin. We can trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and forgiveness. Will you?

Divided City

Football divides a city. It might be Manchester, after the big derby game, or Liverpool, or Glasgow. It could be so many other major cities or geographical areas. Which team you support is a big issue! Travel in wrong colours and tempers can become frayed and attitudes polarized. It is something so simple – just 22 men kicking a football around – and yet something that generates so much passion. In such a charged atmosphere, how can you remain impartial? Which side will you support?

There was a scene outside another city 2000 years ago. It was not a confrontation upon a football field. In that scene outside of Jerusalem passions were running very high. The crowd had not been cheering on a team but baying for the death of one man. That man was Jesus Christ. He was now impaled upon a Roman cross in the centre of two other criminals who were being crucified with Him. These two criminals, one on either side, typify divided opinion. One joined with the crowd, mocking and taunting Jesus Christ upon the centre cross. The other man was different. At first, he had followed the crowd. Now, he had changed his mind. He had seen the crowd. He had witnessed the brutality of that scene. But, equally, he had heard the words of this man upon the centre cross. He had watched His attitude and behaviour.

Jesus Christ was different! Who else would say, ‘Father forgive them’, in prayer to God for a crowd that had put Him to death? Who else would think about others when it seemed His own life was ebbing away? One criminal came to a decision that rather than follow the crowd he was to seek the favour and blessing of this man who hung upon the centre cross. It might only be ‘Remember me’, but that would enough.

Mankind can be divided upon many things. Some are really trivial. Some seem of major importance. Which criminal would you have followed upon that day? Would you have joined with the crowd and mocked and ridiculed Jesus Christ? Many do today! Or, will you appreciate who He is, what He has done in dying upon Calvary’s cross, and what He can do for you today?