11/13/2021
When the laws and efforts of men place chains on us, the followers of Jesus Christ, and attempt to imprison our faith, do not lose heart, but know that while chains might constrain our bodies, the Word of God is not bound. This gives all those of faith the ability to love their enemies, and pray for the souls of the oppressors who stand against them. This allows us to obey our call the name of Christ, and worship God always. We should never lose faith when persecuted, or become disheartened when our prayers are prohibited in open forums. No, our prayers are heard always, even when our tongues are stilled by force, because the Word of God remains free, and we will praise Him even in our shackles.
“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!”
2 Timothy 2:8-9 ESV
Meeting resistance from the world, and those in it, is nothing new to Christians. Jesus, the gospel of Jesus, and all those who believe, have been persecuted from the moment of His conception, and will continue to be until His return, but the efforts of the world against Him, and us, are in vain. When Paul was imprisoned he witness to his guards, and fellow prisoners. While Jesus was being crucified His very life testified to the thief who was dying beside Him, in His suffering He forgave, and in His death the Roman Centurion was led to believe.
“When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!””
Matthew 27:54 ESV
No law, no atrocity, no torture, prohibition, or any manner of death, can overcome the love of God, Jesus Christ, and those who possess it by their faith in them. Prayers are heard even though tongues are removed, and the gospel is proclaimed even by our deaths. The world, and it’s hatred, has been overcome, not by resistance, and force, but by love… the same love that prompted God to send His Son so that we might believe, and have eternal life.
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
John 15:18-19 ESV
So, the world and its sinfulness is overcome now, and despite its current hatred, laws, and sentences, it will remain defeated. The prayers that are prohibited by worldly men will rise up as incense from the very spirits of believers, and no chain can ever bind faith, or the Word of God that believers love in their hearts, minds, and souls with the strength of their faithfulness.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 ESV
In this way, our faith can never be stifled, and if every prayer was silenced, our souls would sing out in spiritual jubilation and sing in Heavenly prayer. Jesus told us that though we were made to be silent that the very stones would cry out… so take heart… when prayer is outlawed, and open worship denied, these are just the desperate actions of a defeated world.
“He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.””
Luke 19:40 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Word that can never be bound, and for your Son Jesus who has conquered sin, defeated death, and overcome the world as an emissary of your love. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who breaks every worldly chain, and releases our prayers from all bondage. Praised be your name for each silent prayer that we pray, for every utterance in worship, and for every defeated attempt of the world to overcome us in our faith. You are merciful Lord, and your grace sustains us in faith, even in our darkest hours of worldly torment. Hear this our prayer; that we be washed clean of all sin by the blood of Christ, and allowed to live in eternity with you. That you call us righteous, holy, and your children, forevermore.
““For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.””
Isaiah 55:12-13 ESV
Rich Forbes