Letters From Grandpa #483

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 483

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will deal with the importance of praying for leaders who have authority over our lives. Paul wrote to Timothy: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

The late Chuck Colson was a part of the political swamp in Washington D.C. He was an ex- marine who was married three times and became infamous as President Richard Nixon’s “Hatchet man.” David Plotz described him as “The evil genius of an evil administration.” H. R. Haldeman described Colson as the president's "hit man". Colson himself admitted “I was valuable to the President ... because I was willing ... to be ruthless in getting things done". Colson was sentenced to prison for crimes he committed in the infamous Watergate Scandal.

Tom Phillips, president of the Raytheon Company, was a devout Christian and had evidently been praying for Colson. Colson, as a lawyer, had represented Raytheon before going to work for the White House. Colson later wrote about this special visit with Tom: “That night he read to me from Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, particularly a chapter about the great sin that is pride. A proud man is always walking through life looking down on other people and other things, said Lewis. As a result, he cannot see something above himself immeasurably superior—God.” After hearing Tom’s witness about Jesus Colson wrote: “when I got in the car that night, I couldn’t drive it out of the driveway. Ex- Marine captain, White House tough guy, I was crying too hard, calling out to God. I didn’t know what to say; I just knew I needed Jesus, and He came into my life.”

History has proven that Colson’s conversion was real! In his best selling book “Born Again” he wrote: “I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea that God had put me in prison for a purpose and that I should do something for those I had left behind.” In 1976, he founded Prison Fellowship, which is now the nation’s largest Christian nonprofit ministry serving prisoners, former prisoners, and their families. This is now an international ministry advocating for criminal justice reform around the world.

In recognition of his work among prisoners, Colson received the prestigious Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 1993. This included the world’s largest monetary award of over $1,000,000 which Colson donated to the work of Prison Fellowship, as he also did with his speaking fees and royalties. Colson was also the founder and chairman of The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview which which is a research, study, and networking center. They still produce Colson's daily radio commentary, Break Point, featuring John Stonestreet. Break Point is now heard on more than 1,400 outlets across the United States.

Colson authored more than 30 books and has received 15 honorary doctorates. In 1990 the Salvation Army gave him their highest civic award. In 1994 he was quoted by Steven Curtis Chapman in the Christian song Heaven in the Real World. In 2001 the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities presented him with the Mark O. Hatfield Leadership Award. In 2008 he was awarded the Presidential Citizens’s Medal by President George W. Bush. These are just some of the honors and awards presented to him on earth. His heavenly reward, of course, will be much greater. Colson passed away April 21, 2012 at the age of 80. Those who prayed for him are to be congratulated!

Just before urging Timothy to pray for those in authority, Paul reminded Timothy of his own evil past: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:15-16) Yes! Paul was himself, at one time, a vicious enemy of Christ and the church. His name was originally Saul:

• When Stephen became the first Christian martyr Saul held the garments of those who killed him and was approving of his death (Acts 7:58-8:1).
• Then “Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.” (Acts 8:1)
• Saul testified before King Agrippa: “On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.” (Acts 26:10-11)
• Saul’s name was changed to Paul on his first missionary tour (Acts 13:9).
• Andronicus and Junias were relatives of Paul and were in Christ before he was (Romans 16:7). Paul also had other relatives who were Christians including Herodion, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater (Romans 16:11, 21). Surely Paul’s Christian relatives were praying for him.
• When more than 40 men vowed to not eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul. Paul’s sister’s son overheard their plans and saved Paul’s life (Acts 23:12-24).
• Perhaps an answer to prayer was part of God’s plan to save Saul of Tarsus and transform him into the Apostle Paul!

As disciples of Christ it is our obligation to vote for godly leaders in every office from our local schools, to our city and state officials, and ultimately to the leaders of our nation! But more than this, we are to also offer our: “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people —for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce