The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Colossians 4:18b,
"Remember my chains."
Paul had this letter to the Colossian fellowship penned by another while he dictated it. His opening salutation at the beginning of the letter let them know it was from him and carried the weight of his apostolic authority. And, yet, this man, Paul, who had an authority that was bestowed by the Lord himself, was bound in chains in Rome at the time.
At the end of the letter, he picked up the pen and signed his own name with a hand that was chained (presumably). One would think the act of picking up that pen with a bound hand might have prompted him to ask his readers to remember him in such a way, "Remember my chains."
Paul was a man who had a very dramatic personal encounter with the Lord and devoted the remainder of his life to serving him. Reading of the events surrounding his life in the pages of the book of Acts, and the passion in his heart for both the Lord and the Lord's people, contained within his thirteen letters is nothing short of remarkable.
Now, toward the end of his life, and toward the end of his amazing apostolic ministry that the Lord used to transform the world, we find Paul chained as a prisoner. Paul himself claimed that his imprisonment, his chains, were due to the gospel he had taken to the world, "pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains." Colossians 4:3.
I don't view Paul as a defeated man while he was in his chains in Rome. He says, "I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is." Colossians 2:1-5.
In the same way, while imprisoned, Paul was ever the passionate worker for the Lord in his outreach for as many as he could have an impact with. In another letter he sent from imprisonment he said, "Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear." Philippians 1:12-14. Paul had an impact even on those who held him prisoner!
I think we today should not forget Paul's chains. As Paul's imprisonment encouraged and energized believers then, I suspect it can have the same effect upon us today. "And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear."
"Remember my chains."
Paul had this letter to the Colossian fellowship penned by another while he dictated it. His opening salutation at the beginning of the letter let them know it was from him and carried the weight of his apostolic authority. And, yet, this man, Paul, who had an authority that was bestowed by the Lord himself, was bound in chains in Rome at the time.
At the end of the letter, he picked up the pen and signed his own name with a hand that was chained (presumably). One would think the act of picking up that pen with a bound hand might have prompted him to ask his readers to remember him in such a way, "Remember my chains."
Paul was a man who had a very dramatic personal encounter with the Lord and devoted the remainder of his life to serving him. Reading of the events surrounding his life in the pages of the book of Acts, and the passion in his heart for both the Lord and the Lord's people, contained within his thirteen letters is nothing short of remarkable.
Now, toward the end of his life, and toward the end of his amazing apostolic ministry that the Lord used to transform the world, we find Paul chained as a prisoner. Paul himself claimed that his imprisonment, his chains, were due to the gospel he had taken to the world, "pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains." Colossians 4:3.
I don't view Paul as a defeated man while he was in his chains in Rome. He says, "I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is." Colossians 2:1-5.
In the same way, while imprisoned, Paul was ever the passionate worker for the Lord in his outreach for as many as he could have an impact with. In another letter he sent from imprisonment he said, "Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear." Philippians 1:12-14. Paul had an impact even on those who held him prisoner!
I think we today should not forget Paul's chains. As Paul's imprisonment encouraged and energized believers then, I suspect it can have the same effect upon us today. "And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear."
Paul: an indomitable and passionate man of God!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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