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PRISONER IN THE LORD (EPHESIANS 4:1-6)

REFLECTION
Prisoner in the Lord is the theme for our reflection. A prisoner is someone being held in confinement. Commonly, a prisoner is a criminal who is serving a prison sentence after being convicted of a crime or a person who has been arrested by law enforcement and is being held in custody pending trial. Paul and others suffered imprisonment on account of preaching the Gospel on some occasions hence the phrase “prisoner in the Lord” or “a prisoner for the Lord” (Ephesians 4:1). We shall reflect on the fact that being a prisoner in the Lord or suffering on account of the Lord should not limit our ministry, calling, or service to the Lord.

Dear friends, it is instructive to note that while in prison for preaching the Gospel, Paul continued to write letters to teach, guide and admonish believers outside the prison walls. The prison walls and chains were not a limitation to His calling or ministry of preaching and saving souls. In other words, his confinement was not an excuse for stopping or retiring from his business and vocation of preaching the Gospel and providing guidance and encouragement to the churches had hitherto established and worked with. Paul reminded the Christians in Ephesus that he was in prison but most importantly he remained a prisoner on account of the Lord Jesus Christ even as he wrote to them. “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6) In other words, Paul reminds the Christians in Ephesus that under no condition or circumstances should a Christian or believer compromise his or her calling. Paul used himself as an example to remind them that even though he was in prison for the Lord, he remained faithful to his calling and would urge them to do so so that unity of Spirit will be kept in the Church at all times for ministry and growth through the bond of peace.

Beloved in the Lord, like Paul, which precarious situation do you find yourself in and have you remained faithful to your calling under such circumstance or situation? Again, has your current suffering or limitations affected your calling as a believer and your faithfulness to God? Another example of Paul’s consistency in preaching the Gospel and providing guidance to believers is found in his letter to Philemon. Philemon was a church elder and a master to Onesimus who was a slave. Onesimus runs away from Philemon after he steals a valuable item from his master. Onesimus was later arrested and jailed. While in prison, Paul met him, preached the Gospel to him and nurtured him to become a disciple of the Lord. Paul now wrote a letter to Philemon to reconcile with Onesimus. In his letter to Philemon, Paul wrote “Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹ yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— ¹⁰ that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹ Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. (Philemon 1:8-11) Dear friend, Paul’s confinement or imprisonment did not prevent him from preaching Christ, discharging the duties of his calling, and reconciling people to God and with one another. How committed are we today as Christians of the 21st century? Do we still have the passion and commitment to serve God regardless of the challenges we find ourselves in? Don’t we give excuses upon excuses with our predicaments or challenges for which we no longer perform our duties or responsibilities at Church?

The greatest test of a believer’s faith and calling is when he or she is faced with challenges? Will you still dedicate your time, energy and resources to serve the Lord in your most challenging moment? Will continue to serve the Lord just as you served Him in good times when you are bereaved? Will you continue to serve Him if your business is no longer flourishing? Will you remain faithful to him when you find yourself confined to a wheelchair or even bedridden? Think of the worst thing that can happen to you and ask yourself if you will continue to be faithful to your calling as a believer. When Jesus was greatly troubled by the impending suffering, He remained faithful to His Father when He said “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” ⁴³ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. ⁴⁴ And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:42-44). When trying and challenging moments come our way or if we are imprisoned or confined by sickness and life-related challenges, we must also learn to say “I surrender myself to you oh Lord, not my will, but let Your will be done in my life even as I continue to serve you with all my strengthen in this turbulent and stormy situation” Paul greatly encouraged us that regardless of the situation we find ourselves as believers, “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39) Again, we are not alone in any form of prison, confinement or trouble we find ourselves because Jesus has assured us that “…surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

In summary, we have deliberated on the theme ” Prisoner of the Lord” We have discovered that being a prisoner in the Lord or suffering on account of the Lord should not limit our ministry, calling, faithfulness and service to the Lord. God can use us in any situation we find ourselves, whether good or bad, hence we must avail ourselves at all times to serve and glorify the name of the Lord. Shalom.

PRAYER
Holy Spirit, strengthen us in the most challenging moment of our lives to remain faithful to our calling. Empower us to serve the Lord relentlessly without any excuse even in times of imprisonment, discomfort, sickness and any form of hardship or challenge that is beyond our control or comprehension. Help us to serve the Lord till our last breath. Amen.