EPHESIANS 6:20

“for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Once, as part of a fundraiser, I was handcuffed and put in back of a police car. This was done to get people to “bail” me out to raise funds for a charity. It was rather uncomfortable even though I knew it wasn’t real. I even had a friend who was a Sheriff deputy do the “arrest.” I don’t want to ever find myself in cuffs for real.

Paul, however, was in real chains. The word “chains” is used several times in the New Testament and usually referred to a single chain that was attached to the prisoner on one end and to a soldier on the other end. In some instances, the soldier would just hold the chain or let the prisoner carry it around. Since Paul was under house arrest when he wrote this letter, this was probably the case. But he could have been attached to that soldier. Poor soldier! Lol

APPLICATION

Chains couldn’t deter the apostles. Just look at this story in Acts about Peter when he was arrested and chained. Acts 12:6-7 says, “6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near Peter, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And his chains fell off his hands.”

Did you notice Peter was sleeping? Chains didn’t bother him. He was at rest in Christ. Neither should we be concerned about any restrictions we face today. We have to be bold in our witness. That is what Paul was asking for in today’s verse. He wanted to remain bold in proclaiming the good news.

How bold are you? What if you were faced with chains or prison bars? Would you go on proclaiming Jesus. You should read “The Insanity of God.” The persecuted believers in that book will give you some courage to face the enemy head on. Remember, God’s got your back when you proclaim His message. Whatever happens, He can sustain you. Now, be bold!

Father, give me courage to proclaim Jesus even in the face of persecution.