2 Timothy 2 - 5.29.23

Scripture

2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT

“And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.”

Observation

I love what Paul tells Timothy here, “the word of God cannot be chained.” Paul did not let his circumstances stop him from accomplishing his mission that God gave him. Although he was imprisoned for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, Paul still found opportunities to share the Good News with his prison guards and political leaders who brought him in for questioning. To top that off, Paul would send letters to the early churches and it’s leaders to remind them of God’s Word, to encourage them, to pray for them to continue to fight the good fight, and to stay strong in their faith.

Application

The Word of God cannot be chained.

I am sure when Paul said yes to Jesus, that he probably imagined preaching to the masses, filling up colosseums of people, eagerly waiting to hear the Good News of Jesus. But, instead he was met with people who wanted nothing to do with it. They threatened Paul with physical beatings and imprisonment if he continued doing what he was doing. But did that discourage Paul? Absolutely not!!! It actually made Paul preach more boldly! Wherever he was, and whoever would listen, Paul shared about Jesus with people. Paul knew he was going to be obedient to God’s calling. He was going to go wherever the Holy Spirit led him, and say whatever the Holy Spirit told him to say. At the end of the day, Paul knew it wasn’t his job to change people’s hearts towards Jesus, (only God can do that), but rather his job was to plant the seed of the gospel of Christ in people’s hearts wherever he went.

And so I look at my life and see where God has placed me. What is my excuse? What am I waiting for? I need to be more like Paul and share with others boldly. I need to remember that God’s Word cannot be chained and that it does not come back void. I just need to be obedient and go out there and plant the seeds of God’s Word, then allow God to take it from there! 😊

“so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me void, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”-Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭11‬ ‬‬

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, may I be bold and courageous today to share the gospel of Jesus with those around me. May Your Word pierce and saturate people’s hearts. May they develop a hunger for more of You. May they want to know You as Lord and Savior. In Your Holy and precious name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi