God’s word is not bound

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.  Are you making a difference in the world for Jesus?  Are you having a kingdom impact today?  When it comes to God’s kingdom, we either help build it or we become stumbling blocks to its development.

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.  We have been going through this pandemic and we have been restricted to what to do or not 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.  This virus has brought lots of restrictions to our lives this year.  Though it is true that this pandemic has limited our mobility; but it has not limited 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 influencing others with his words and writings.  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 and restricted; 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 is not bound.

He was willing to endure hardship for the sake of those who would respond to the message of the gospel. (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 God’s word stands forever

Isaiah 55:11 His word does not return to him empty but accomplishes what he desires.

Matt.24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but his word will never pass away.

God’s word has no limits; it is not bound

Even in our times, in our situation with the pandemic lots of things have stopped but God’s word continues to be proclaimed.  Even when people could not proclaim it from a pulpit at a church building; God’s word was been preached because God’s word is not chained.

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? 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.