Charles Colson: Beyond Watergate

This week I told a friend that Chuck Colson was on his deathbed. Her response: "Who's that?"

That ignorance is good, in a way. For many in my generation, Colson, who died today at 80, is forever a symbol of government hypocrisy. As part of the "dirty tricks" gang in the Nixon administration — using various evil methods to take down political opponents — he helped foster a public cynicism and distrust that still haunts us.

But the ignorance is also unfortunate, for Colson was one of the most influential figures in our generation — not only in politics but prison reform and evangelical Christianity.

After his own jail time, Colson founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, which ministers to some 2000,000 inmates in 1,376 American prisons — and branches in more than 110 nations.

He spoke out for prison reform in speeches and books such as 2001's "Justice That Restores." His organization dealt with issues of parole, mental health, proportional punishment, women in prison and the role of faith-based organizations in working with prisoners. He called for victims of crime to have a role in the justice system — and even have a chance to meet those who committed the crimes against them.

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Evermyrtle

Colson made mistakes, people who condemn him makes mistakes. We, if we are not Christians, repent, GOD forgives, we strive to live for HIM from that moment. We are not perfect, we make more mistakes we continue to strive to live for HIM and continue to repent, as we fail HIM because as we strive to live for HIM we falter, WE ARE SINNERS, STRIVING TO LIVE ACCORDING TO LIVE BY HIS WORD.

Colson repented and as far as I know lived the rest of his life, serving GOD AND HIS ON JESUS CHRIST. WHAT MORE COULD HE DO? .

I John 1:7-10
7. But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the "BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSES US FROM ALL SIN.

8. If we say that we have on sin, we deceive ourselves, an the truth is not in us.

9. If we confess our sins, HE is faithful an just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

10. If we say that we have ot sinned, wer make HIM a liar and HIS WORD is not in us.
msjallen

Our churches should always have a prison ministry. However, our government is wanting to stop givng the prisoners Bibles or have a Christian ministry in our prisons. Guest what? The muslims have a very strong influence in our prisons and they are winning many followers especially among the black prisoners. Believers in Jesus Christ need to reach out to those who are in prison. I am sure Paul taught his fellow prisoners when he was in prison in Rome.
JPW

Jesus said: ".. 'cept ye repent, ye likewise will perish." Colson repented; followed him. Be assured he won't perish …
- Susan
  
  I so agree with you . ..
keyboardshark

It just shows to go you that God can use anyone He pleases, even a scoundrel like John Newton, an eighteenth-century ship captain involved in the slave trade, remembered most as the composer of "Amazing Grace", as well as someone like Charles Colson. And He can use even 'good' people who thought they were self-righteous, until God came along and whooped it out of them.

What about you? How are you lending yourself for the Master's use?
- Evermyrtle
  
  We all sin and "COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD!" If we repent HE will forgive and accept. HE does not demand perfection only true, repenting and honest hearts.
Taquoshi

I am sure he heard "Well done, good and faithful servant." in the throne room.
http://youtu.be/NRJHKzU_t1M Despeville

Colson may he rest in His peace done much tangible good but perhaps have dome even more intangible bad. He was a major tool and player in Roman Catholic designed and supported ecumenism designed to undermine the heritage of Reformation between doctrinally compromised and weak American post Protestants. There are documents to prove that.
Far2right

How devastating it must have been for Colson to spend so many years in religions limelight just to hear the Sovereign Savior declare to him, "I never knew you".
- Susan
  
  Far2night – and where does your judging heart get this inside info? Chuck produced more 'fruit' than I think you know about . . . shame on you.