The Gospel Will Not Be Chained

What gives you hope? What gives you joy? As Christians do we live with a sense of defeat in our hearts, or of victory?

These days we are faced with a multitude of discouraging events and happenings as the world increasingly chooses to go its own way down the path to destruction. From the horrors of a child being ripped piece by piece from its mothers womb, to the despair of those who commit suicide, murder, and robbery, to the lies of the teachers in schools who give their students corrupt lessons - denying the sovereignty and creative power of our God; we stare at defeat and despair every day. Often Christians are blamed for the problems in society, we are the ones who will not just "get on the bus" and go with the flow. We oppose the supposed "right" of a mother to abort her baby, we cry out against socialist practices that threaten to tear down this land, once based on Gods laws, and bring into its place an iron curtain that cannot veil the abominations it hides. In this hour it is comforting to know that Gods word, His precious gospel, will not be chained!

"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained." 2 Timothy 2:8-9

Gods Word is not just another book written by adherents to just another sect. It is not just a handbook Christians can use to understand how to "live a good life and go to heaven". Gods word is alive. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself, it is sharper than a two edged sword, piercing the heart in a deeply convicting and ultimately rewarding, or damming, way. You will not walk away unchanged, you will not walk away unchallenged.

More and more as I come to understand parts of Gods Word I realize that as Christians we can fall into the trap of treating it flippantly. We only go to the Word when we want something, an answer to a problem at the moment, a verse for a debate, a guilty conscience, or even proof of something we always believed but never took the time to fully establish for ourselves through careful prayer and study of scripture. How many of us are faithful to daily reading of Gods Word? How many of us want to know God on a personal level, treating scripture as a means of understanding Him better, hearing His desires for our life? I know I've failed time and again in this area, and time and time again He has been faithful to renew a thirst for His word in my heart. Make no mistake, it is God who gives us a longing for His word, we cannot desire it on our own.

So I ask you, how much time do you spend in the gospel that cannot be chained? The Word contains everything we need to know about God, everything we need to live victorious, joyful, and free, in a world of bondage, oppression, and fear. It is better to be chained in body by those who oppress the truth, than to be chained in spirit without it, and through Gods Word, we can be free.