Let Paul Help You With Your Bonds

  Many are pessimistic and discouraged over their circumstances which they feel limit their abilities. An observation of the latter years of the apostle Paul’s life would be an encouragement for us to find victory over circumstances. Paul, along with many of the early Christians, was frequently bound in prison “for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus”. This was his lot when he wrote a number of epistles. He referred to these bonds: “For which I am an ambassador in bonds” (Ephesians 6: 20) “So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all of the palace.” (Philippians 1: 12-13) “Remember my bonds” (Colossians 4: 18). It was natural for his bonds to hinder him in some way, even in his writings; but, as his friends remembered that he was in bonds, they would understand and could pray for him. We need to take lessons from Paul’s bonds and not let these “bonds” in our lives defeat us. Observe these lessons that are suggested by Paul’s bonds: 

His bonds were not disgraceful to him: He was not in prison because he had done wrong; but because he would not do that which he knew to be wrong. His chain was a symbol of principle! Our bonds, unless brought on by wrongdoing, are not disgraceful and we should patiently accept them. Rather than to view the bonds as being disgraceful, we need to look up and realize that in all legitimate circumstances, we can be beneficial to truth and the Lord’s cause. “For which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.” (II Timothy 2: 9)

  His bonds didn’t prevent him from being useful: Paul may have been saddened by the fact that he was kept from his travels—yet he was made to see that his imprisonment had been an advantage to him. He evidenced this fact in writing to the Philippians: “Now I want you to know brethren that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.” (Philippians 1: 12-14) Some of Paul’s rarest opportunities came to him during the time that he was in bonds. As he wrote: “but the word of God is not bound” (II Timothy 2: 9). It was during such times that he was privileged to preach to the jailer, Felix, Agrippa, Onesimus and Caesar’s household. Every child of God should remember that the Lord can make all things work together for good, if he will only do his best whatever his circumstances might be. Bitterness and a sour disposition should never be allowed to dominate us when bonds come.

  His bonds did not mar his happiness: Having been beaten and in prison; yet we read: “at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God:” (Acts 16: 25) If we will allow Him to, Christ can bring happiness to us. It matters not in what kind of a situation we may be placed. “Not that I speakfrom want for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity, in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4: 11-13).

~Eric Paquette