Even when we sin, God remains faithful

On Tuesday, March 8, my friend was sentenced to prison. The Daily Bee reported on the front page (Thursday, March 10; “Man gets 10 years in shooting” by Keith Kinnaird.) I knew my friend was sentenced two days earlier but I had not yet heard the results until that moment. Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank said of me and others who called him a friend, “He certainly had a fan club. I also find it interesting that they don’t really know him. They know what he’s told them.” First District Judge Barbara Buchanan said the court was troubled that his contemporary life was built on a lie, that it involved abandonment of two small children and that he had not been the honored military veteran that he had claimed to be. “The problem is you don’t tell the truth so it’s hard for me to give much truth to what you say happened that night.”

All of this is true. My friend left behind his family and life 30-plus years ago, changed his name and moved to North Idaho, settling in Elmira. He is guilty as charged and the sentence is being carried out. Justice is being served and he has no one to blame but himself. I talked to him the Sunday before sentencing and he told me some of his friends had walked away because of his life, some because of portraying himself as a Vietnam veteran, which is disgraceful.

So now as I ponder all of this and try and make sense of my feelings toward him, I find myself considering my faith in God. I was washed and regenerated by the Spirit being reborn and given the gift of faith, believing in the name of Jesus Christ. I practice righteousness and walk in the Spirit. I am not a baby Christian, but have matured over time by the grace of God, drawing closer to him through studying and obeying Scripture. Yet, at times I find myself willfully sinning against him. I hate it that I do because of His love for me, so I fall before Him and I confess my sin. He forgives and picks me up and I continue to walk toward him, being conformed into the image of His son. With all that light and revelation I still sin. We have a merciful and loving God who is faithful even when we are not.

My friend is still in darkness and now going to a darker place. I find my heart broken with compassion for him and I pray God will shine His light on him and grant him repentance. We have all sinned and the times of ignorance God has overlooked but now commands everyone everywhere to repent and believe in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

As for my feelings toward my friend? Michael Jess Chisholm has been, and will always be my friend. God bless you, Mike.

JERRY J. ZAPATA

Sandpoint