Are You in Prison?

Paul Geidel (1894–1987) was the longest serving American inmate whose sentence ended with his release. After being convicted of second-degree murder in 1911, Geidel served 68 years and 245 days in various New York state prisons. He was released on May 7, 1980, at the age of 86. Geidel was born to an alcoholic saloonkeeper who died when the boy was only five years old.

He spent most of his childhood in an orphanage and eventually worked in menial jobs. One day he decided to rob a wealthy broker who was staying in a hotel where Geidel worked. He suffocated the man and got away with a few dollars. Two days later he was arrested and convicted of second-degree murder and sent to prison for 20 years to life.

He was almost released in 1926 but was found to be legally insane. In 1974 he was granted parole, but the 80-year-old inmate did not want to leave prison. With no family, he thought he wouldn’t make it on the outside, so he chose to stay in for six more years. Finally, on May 7, 1980, he was released having served the longest prison sentence in American history. He lived out the remainder of his days in a nursing home.

Prison is about “serving” time and “putting in” labor for crime. Yet some people relate to God like they are serving time. In the story of the prodigal son, Jesus tells about the older son angrily talking with his father about the return of his younger brother. He said, “Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never game me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends” (Luke 15:29).

It is possible to serve God and still be trapped in a prison in your heart. Salvation is not about “having to serve time,” it is about rejoicing in the free gift. Don’t stay in prison. God wants to release you.

Key Bible Texts

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. (Luke 15:31 KJV)