God’s word is limitless
2 Timothy 2:8-10
By: Ysrael De la Cruz
People tend to share good memories at the funeral of someone they knew. We hear about the deceased legacy, the impact he or she had on those who share the story. With every passing day people in the world are making a difference for good or bad; they are impacting people in a negative or positive way. As Christ’s followers we are called to make an impact in the world for Jesus. Are you making a kingdom impact today? When it comes to God’s kingdom, we either help advance it or we become stumbling blocks to its development.
Sometimes we place limits or restrictions to the things we do for the Lord. In other words, we limit ourselves and then limit God as well. During the pandemic we were restricted from doing many things we wanted to do. We could not visit families or friends for a while; we could not gather for church service, could not go out to eat; play sports; go to the movies, mall, or salon. Etc. Though it is true that the pandemic limited our mobility; but it could not stop the proclamation of the gospel.
The apostle Paul established lots of churches as he traveled from place to place proclaiming the good news of Jesus. He touched so many lives with the transforming power of the gospel and his circumstances continued to change rapidly from town to town. But he kept on moving on. He suffered greatly for being a preacher of the gospel. The preaching of the gospel sent him to prison; he was bound with chains. (He would often mention his chains in his writings). He was isolated from family and friends. He could no longer preach from house to house or in the synagogues; his mobility was limited by his circumstances. However, even though he was bound, he never stopped advancing God’s kingdom. He could have chosen to embrace a self-pity attitude; He could have felt sorry for himself and ask God to free him from prison. But he did not; he continued to rejoice in the fact that regardless of his imprisonment, people were turning to the Lord. He wrote several letters while in prison.

Listen to his words when he wrote to a church in Philippi. Philippians 1:12-14
12I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. ESV

Even though Paul was confined to a prison cell; he never stopped influencing people with the gospel. He wrote two letters to his young protégé Timothy in which he encouraged him to be strong in the Lord. Isn’t that ironic that the one going through trials is encouraging others to be strong in the Lord?
2 Timothy 2:8-10
When you read chapter 2 you hear the apostle encouraging Timothy to Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (v.1); Endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ. (v.3) Reflect on what I am saying, and the Lord will give you insight (v.7)
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. (v.8)

This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained (bound).
Paul said that the word of God is not bound; even though he was physically restrained from going out to preach. The gospel message was still getting out to others because God’s word has no limits.
He was willing to endure hardship for the sake of those who did not know Jesus. (v.10)
Paul reached so many people with the gospel of Jesus while he was in prison, because he spoke with those who came to visit him and wrote letters to churches and individuals to strengthen them in their faith. His influence had no limits; he continued to be a beacon of light for the sake of the gospel. God’s word is never restricted or limited to our circumstances. The word of God is Powerful and nothing stops it.
Hebrews 4:12 It is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

Isaiah 55:11 So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. ESV

Matt.24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
God’s word has no limits; it is not bound.
Even when the pandemic limited our gathering and church services; God’s word was still being proclaimed.
It has continued to be proclaimed even when our mobility has been restricted. Nothing has stopped the proclamation of the gospel; it continues to spread even through a virtual platform and many other means which God uses to accomplish his purposes. His word is not bound.
When Paul could no longer walk to places or visit churches. When he was quarantined from those he loved, he used the means of writing to reach them. What means are you using today to influence others with the message of the gospel of Jesus?
Are you limited by your situation? Don’t be for God’s word is not bound. God can still use what you have. He can use you where you are. Do not place limits to his word.