IN CHAINS FOR CHRIST!

Philippians 1:12-26 Voice

I have good news, brothers and sisters; and I want to share it. Believe it or not, my imprisonment has actually helped spread the good news to new places and populations. [13] Word has spread through the ranks of the imperial guard and to everyone else around me that I am in prison because of my faith in the Anointed One. [14] My imprisonment has instilled courage in most of our brothers and sisters, so they are trusting God more and have been even more daring as they speak the good news without fear. [15-17] I am well aware that some people out there are preaching the message of the Anointed One because of jealousies and rivalries. Their motives aren't pure. They're driven by selfish ambitions and personal agendas, hoping somehow to add to my pain here in prison. And I also know there are others who are preaching the Anointed from true goodness, motivated by love. They wish me the best because they know I'm here in prison in defense of the gospel. [18] So what do we do then? Listen. What matters is that in every way, regardless of the motives-whether pure or shady-the great story of the Anointed is a cause for joy. I will continue to rejoice [19] because I know that through your encouragement and prayers and through the help of the Spirit of Jesus the Anointed, I will soon be released from this dark place. [20] I don't expect that dishonor and shame will plague me in any way, but I do hope that I will continue to be able to speak freely and courageously about Jesus, and that now and forever the Anointed One will be glorified and placed above all else through this body of mine-whether I live or die. [21] For my life is about the Anointed and Him alone. And my death, when that comes, will mean great gain for me. [22] So, if it's His will that I go on serving here, my work will be fruitful for the message. I honestly wouldn't know how or what to choose; [23] I would be hard-pressed to decide. I lean toward leaving this world to be with the Anointed One because I can only think that would be much better. [24] To stay in this body of flesh-even with all its pains and weaknesses-would best serve your needs. [25] Now that I think of it, I am sure of this: I would prefer to remain to share in the progress and joy of your growing belief. [26] When I return to you, we will celebrate Jesus the Anointed even more.

 

If anyone knows what it means to be in chains for Christ, Pastor Clive Johnston, a retired Baptist pastor convicted for conducting an illegal abortion protest inside clinic ‘safe access zone.’ What does that even mean? The time is here when the world would criminalize Christ- follower for daring to “breath.” Are we in chains for Christ? If we are, does it mean we are some kind of prisoners? Going by Paul’s declaration in Ephesians 4:1, we are all supposed to be prisoners of Christ if we’re deeply committed to following him, after all, Paul was jailed several times because of his commitment to Christ.

They say love is an action word, a verb, and so too is commitment. It’s our actions, expressed in how we obey the word of God, handle afflictions, and overcome challenges guided by our trust or lack of trust in God that determines how committed we are to him.

The modern-day Christian wants to serve and follow God on their term, meaning, no afflictions, no delays, no problems, and no highs and lows. All they want is for God to show them His love with rainbows and sunshine, yet they are not willing to show their love to God when things are not going their way.

So many of us, unfortunately, have become prisoners to ourselves, to demons and to other things as seen in Mark 5:4, bound by chains that only Jesus can break.

What have you bound? Are you in chains for Christ or something else? Adversities come our way to test our commitment to Christ. Do we quit in the face of difficulties or soldier on?

God often uses these imprisonments as opportunities to not just draw us closer to Him but to lead others to salvation when they see our commitment in the face of such challenges.

Like Paul, through his imprisonment, many came to salvation like the prison guards and their families. As we know Paul suffered a great deal for the sake of the gospel. Have you?

Would you remain committed to Christ when faced with a little of what Paul went through?

The same Paul with Silas were imprisoned and chained again for Christ in Acts 16:26. They had a right to be dejected, angry and fed-up with God but they worshipped with the weight of their chains.

It’s bad enough when one is imprisoned for a deserving crime but how utterly demoralizing to be imprisoned for nothing but your faith in God.

Paul was arrested again in Acts 21 and verse 33 says he was beaten and was bound with two chains with soldiers on each side so he couldn’t escape.

He had no desire to.

That’s what commitment does to one. Why would we want to escape from the chains that will eventually become God’s symbol of love and favour on us and a sign that His hands are on us?

He even urges us in Zechariah 9:12 to return to our prison because, in it, we will receive the covenantal blessings of grain and new wine as He restores double in everything we’ve lost, soothe every pain we experienced whilst granting us victory over our enemy.

Paul used a paradox in Ephesians 6:20, “an ambassador in chains.” Ambassadors are held inviolable by the law of nations and could not be put in chains. Yet Christ ‘s ambassador is in “chain!”

Prisoners in chains!

Are you a prisoner in chains for Christ?

Paul, by his mouth, declares in Acts 28:20, “I am bound in chains” but for the sake of the coming Messiah.

Are you committed enough to Christ to be imprisoned and bound in chains? Or are you already in chains for Christ?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

·         In what areas of my life am I truly demonstrating commitment to Christ, especially when obedience is costly or uncomfortable?

·         What chains in my life are drawing me away from God, and what do I need to surrender so that Christ can fully lead me?

·         If I were to face hardship, delay, or opposition for my faith, would my response reveal trust, worship, and perseverance like Paul’s?

PRAYER: Lord, grant me the grace to bear whatever chain binds me for your glory and the kingdom, help me to readily express my commitment to you in whatever way to choose to lead me in Jesus’s name. Amen.

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