From jesusistheword.org
God's Word is Not Chained From 2 Timothy 2: 8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11 The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.
My grandson, Caleb Eradio and his parents, went with Nellie and I to a church at which I was invited to preach. He got very excited about going to church and kept coming into our bedroom to say he wanted to go to church with me. We arrived at the church and he immediately asked, "Where's my church?" Oops. This was not his home church, but he was glad to be there. When it was time for Communion he came and he had to ask his mom, "Where's the little cup?" He was not familiar with intinction. All of this is serving to teach him even at his young age, about Jesus Christ. I pray that one day he will make a decision to allow Jesus to enter his heart and be Lord and Savior of his life, and that he never forget who Jesus Christ is.
Paul is reminding Timothy that we should never forget the example and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His death and resurrection are part of the Good News in which we believe, and for this gospel we should be willing to suffer all things, even imprisonment like criminals, and even chained like them. But even if we are chained, Paul says, "The word of God is not chained." The life-giving and life-affirming message of God through Jesus Christ knows no boundaries nor barriers that it cannot conquer, and ours is the task of telling others so that they too may have that saving relationship with Him. No matter the personal loss or cost to us, the reward is the same: Life with Jesus even beyond death. Not everybody can endure suffering; some fall away. And the reasons can be both great and petty, but none can support our giving up or forgetting Jesus; yet we have those who quit worshipping God or leave worship fellowships because of some excuse.
You and I are called to endure. And if we endure, we will reign with Him. You and I are called to proclaim Jesus. If we deny Him, He will deny us. You and I are called to faithfulness; for He is always faithful to us, not even able to deny Himself. Ours is to share this message with all. We are to avoid arguments and wrangling over words; seek words that build up. We are to present ourselves to God as those who have been approved by Jesus, faithful workers seeking fruitfulness in all things.
We can do it, because God goes with us.
PRAYER: Awesome God, bless my words and life with the message of today, so that I may bless others. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
