Remember My Chains
Our women's ministry just recently completed a beautiful study in the book of Colossians. I have read through it’s four chapters now many times and continue to glean new, rich truths. However, there are three simple words the apostle Paul writes to the church in Colossae that penetrates my heart every time I read them...
“Remember my chains” (Col. 4:18)
These were the parting words Paul left the Colossians in the closing of his profound letter. I have pondered them over and over again.
”Remember my chains”
Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote Colossians. Prior to that he had been imprisoned in Caesarea for 2 years. After his imprisonment in Caesarea Paul sailed to Rome to stand trial. He was shipwrecked during that voyage and stranded on the island of Malta for 3 months. When he finally arrived in Rome he was put under house arrest and chained to a guard as he awaited trial for crimes he never committed. His unjust imprisonment lasted yet another 2 years.
“Remember my chains”
Paul penned these words at the very end of his letter — almost as a side note. Had I been in Paul’s circumstances I can guarantee that the theme of any communication I had with the outside world would have been about my imprisonment, my woes, my felt injustices, my sufferings… in other words my letter would have been much to do about me and very little to do about Christ and exhorting the church.
“Remember my chains”
While a prisoner, Paul chose to selflessly maximize his time for the kingdom. Paul used his chains for eternal gain. Consider the incredible fruitfulness of those 2 years:
• Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon
• He became known throughout the Praetorian guard as a man of great influence (these men were a body of 10,000 specially selected Roman soldiers)
• His circumstances helped further the gospel. Phil 1:12-16
• Because of Paul’s imprisonment Roman Christians became “more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.” Phil 1:14
• Paul had greater time to prayerfully intercede on behalf of the many churches he so dearly loved. Eph 1:16-18, Phil 1:3-9, Col 1:9
• He was able to freely receive those who came to him which provided tremendous opportunities to minister and pray for those who sought him out.
“Remember my chains”
Paul’s words have caused me to reflect on my own chains. For the past 3 years I’ve battled long seasons of insomnia and depression. These are chains that I have fervently prayed would be removed. It seems that the Lord is beginning to unlock these chains, yet I can say with all confidence He has used them for great good. My chains have caused me to deepen my need for Him. They have caused me to enter into a new intimacy with my Father as I have had a very small taste of the “fellowship of His sufferings.” It has forced me to dig deeper in His Word and increased my prayer life. These chains have been used to work in me greater thankfulness, a new found sensitivity for the needs others, and a deeper longing for heaven.
“Remember my chains”
What about your chains? Are you in a season of life where you feel imprisoned and bound in circumstances with little hope of being set free? There are certainly chains (sin) we place on ourselves such as rebellion, anger, bitterness, and immorality. Sometimes, however, there are chains we find ourselves bound in that are not from sin but, like Paul, placed on us without our consent or provocation.
Your chains may be: a weary season of parenting, strain in your marriage, financial loss, a rebellious teen, physical suffering, a special needs child, divorce, loneliness, the death of a loved on, depression… and the list could go on.
What if we, like Paul, used our chains for a greater good? What if we saw our chains as an opportunity to know Christ more deeply and become transformed into His image? What if we yielded our will and allowed our chains to make us into more loving spouses and faithful parents? And…what if our chains could be used to help propel us to further the gospel and have more fruitful ministry?
“Remember my chains”
I’d like you to ask yourself:
• What are the “chains” I am wearing right now in this season of my life?
• How might God want to use my chains in a profound and impacting way?
• How has God already used them in my life?
• What is He teaching me through my chains?
• Can I thank Him for them - even as I patiently wait to be set free?
May we as children "chosen by God, holy and beloved" (Col 3:12) allow our earthly chains to be used for an even greater spiritual gain, viewing them not as unjust punishment but rather as a gift from God.
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