A violent criminal was saved by God inside his prison cell. John testifies that with God, nothing is impossible.
Growing up
John had fond memories of his childhood.
“I really had a good life as a child. Mom and dad seemed to be happy. My dad was a policeman, and my little brother was born. Things seemed to be going really well,” he said.
But things completely changed when he turned 10. His mom and younger brother had to move because his grandfather had terminal cancer. Then his dad had an affair.
He was left by his dad, who locked him in a flat. For three days he went hungry, until someone rescued him. After that incident, John had to move with his mom who lived in a rough neighborhood.
“It was an environment where I saw kids my age sniffing glue, taking drugs, carrying blades, and preparing to use them. That was my first encounter with violence. Violence in that community is a means to get respect,” he said.
A Violent Criminal was Saved
Later in life John became a nightclub bouncer and joined a motorcycle gang. He ended up being a bodyguard for the Rolling Stones and managed a brothel in London at one point. John was eventually apprehended by the police, and was given a five-year prison sentence for extortion. All John could think about while he was incarcerated was committing new crimes, but one day a fellow prisoner persuaded him to visit the Christian fellowship.
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“While serving five years in prison, I met this Nigerian guy who was a Christian, and that was one thing I didn’t like about him. But he insisted for four months that I come to Bible study. And one day I changed my mind because he shared with me something really important. He said that the pastor brings in cake, coffee, and biscuits. And I said, “Wow, why didn’t you share that with me before?” John laughed. “I was impacted by the twelve prisoners there who sat back in their chairs and began to sing,” he added.
A Violent Criminal Was Saved By This Bible Verse: Ezekiel 18:30-32
They sang “Open the Eyes of My Heart, LORD,” which made John cry.
“And that night I opened the Bible and read from the book of Ezekiel. I found out that the only way is through Christ,” he said.
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:30-32, NIV).
That evening transformed John’s life. Following a week of reading the Bible and hearing the Gospel, John devoted his life to Jesus. He experienced a new heart and spirit that come when you accept Christ as your Savior. He was created anew in Christ that day.
When asked if he wanted to say something to people who have been through similar struggles, he answered: “I was among the most violent of people. I had no heart, and I was willing to murder. Was so lost, but I found God. I found that God is real. I looked at this world and saw the mess we’re in. And I knew in that moment that there was a Creator. In that moment in my cell, I realized there is God. And I tell you, I don’t know who you are or what you’ve done. But I know that if God can forgive a violent animal like me, then He can also forgive you. Search for Him, repent, and surrender your life to Jesus Christ.”
Header image: John Lawson [100Huntley]. YouTube, 16 November 2022, https://youtu.be/RpZmg0FpVEM
