FRIDAY August 9, 2024

An Ambassador in Chains

...and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:19-20

Paul did not waste time while under house arrest. He continued to work––teaching and writing. He wrote the Ephesian Epistle, and in the conclusion, asked believers for prayer. He wanted God to give him utterance. In the Greek language, Paul actually used the word Logos which means “to speak a word or the faculty of speech. The skill and practice of speaking.”

Paul also requested prayer for boldness. He wanted to have a fearless boldness when he had the opportunity to share the mysteries of the gospel with any of the Roman soldiers who had oversight of him. Paul was always ready to share his faith. God enables us to be bold. It is a fearless, confident freedom to speak without care as to what other people may say or think. The only concern he had was for what God thought about him, not man.

Paul knew he was an ambassador in chains, but he also knew that the Word of God was not chained, as seen in his letter to Timothy, his son in the faith:

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).

Paul was content where God had placed him. Even in prison he knew he was in the perfect will of God. The Word of God had free course and was unhindered by his chains. Are you content with the will of God today? Know this, no matter your situation, be ready to share the gospel message with boldness. God is still at work in your circumstances.

The most critical need of the church at this moment is men, bold men, free men. The church must seek, in prayer and much humility, the coming again of men made of the stuff of which prophets and martyrs are made.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!