GOD'S WORD IS NOT CHAINED - PART 3

FRIDAY 19 MAY 2023

Paul's credo in our referenced Scripture is admirably certain to strengthen our faith, such that we are conditioned not to limit the efficacy of the Word, or stagger at it through unbelief. That means, although the great apostle was in jail when he penned some of his epistles, his circumstance didn't stop the Word from spreading and transforming lives outside the prison walls. In fact, his prison epistles are still actively influential and very instrumental to impacting lives even at this point or to this present time. Indeed, nothing is too much for the Word to overcome, or for us to expect to receive from it, because it transcends all barriers.

Reference: 2 Timothy 2:8-9 New King James Version (NKJV) "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 evil doer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained."

What goes on in my mind whenever I come across this tenet, "The Word of God is not chained", is this:

Paul is indirectly telling us that the Word is an awesome wonder. It is great at inspiring awe, and at the same time, it comes with the wonder that conveys widespread effects, regardless of race, divisions or boundaries. It can cut across cultures and prevail over cities, nations and kingdoms. No matter where you find yourself in this present world, you can apply it at that location and it will still deliver the dictates in your life. So the result and influence are applicable to any group, all cases, all people, all things, all territories, all nations and all kingdoms in the world. And the Word is beyond just being universal because it is heavenly. Zero wonder the Psalmist wrote, "Forever, O Eternal One, Your word stands in heaven, firm and resolute" (Psalm 119:89 The Voice).

The Word never goes out of fashion both in heaven and on earth, meaning that time cannot alter, modify or chain it. That's why we perceive both the awe and wonder while engaging the dictates, just as it were in apostle Paul's day. In Acts 19:20 (NLT), the Bible says, "So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect." To think about this: It happened in a city where a great number of people were practicing sorcery and magic. As the Word being preached wielded enormous influence - with awe, signs and wonders, they brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire, regardless of the fact that the value of the books was several million dollars. My, oh, my, what the eternal Word can do!

Indeed, the word cannot be chained, for in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:1-5 NKJV). In other words, the darkness could not stop, cage or chain it. Darkness can't comprehend it, let alone withstanding the effect and influence. Did you also notice that in the Word is life, and that life is the light of all mankind? This is the reason you can declare the Word, and it is established for you. How? The light of the Word you declare will shine on your ways, dispelling darkness (Job 22:28 NKJV).

During my quite time, while exchanging some noble thoughts with the Word and Spirit - by profound study, I gained a notable insight into the influence of the Word in humans, which denotes the extent the Word can go because it is not chained. Stay tuned for part 4. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Job 11:7-9; Acts 6:7; Acts 12:24; Acts 14:3.

Exuberant Declaration: I acknowledge that the expression and expansion of the Word is unlimited in my life and the result is confirmed as I speak it forth by faith. By abiding in Christ, who is the incarnate Word, and yielding to the Word - in harmony and accordance with the dictates, I step into its absolute reality. Praise God!