Thursday, January 13, 2011

"...the Word of God Is Not Imprisoned" (2 Tim. 2:8-10)

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.
(2 Timothy 2:8-10, NASB)

“ … the word of God is not imprisoned.” I love these words!

No matter what happens to us, no matter how we’re ridiculed or persecuted or rejected, God’s word can still be proclaimed. The gospel can still be shared.

This reminds me so much of the story of Corrie Ten Boom, one of my greatest mentors. If you don’t know her story, visit www.corrietenboom.com. The condensed version is that she and her sister were incarcerated in a concentration camp during WWII, and while in that—excuse my expression—hellhole, they held Bible studies. And many women came to faith. Even after her sister died, Corrie continued to help others “obtain the salvation which is in Jesus Christ.”

Many of us are in our own “prisons.” We may be suffering from health issues that keep us down. We may be trapped in relationships that are hurtful. We may be heartbroken by rejection or rebellion.

And some of our brothers and sisters throughout the world are in literal prisons or are threatened daily as they fulfill God’s mission.

Yet even if we’re behind bars—either literal or figurative—we can still share God’s truth. We can still get the word out.

Because “ … the word of God is not imprisoned.”

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