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Prisoner in Peace

chainedI therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk ... in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4.1-3)

Prison and peace don’t go together. I have been to prison various times through the years though, thank the Lord, I have never been incarcerated. However, on my visits I never sensed peace. There always seems to be tension, sinister undertones and accusing glances. Every conversation and action is observed by armed guards. The slightest movements or gestures can bring a reprimand. A prison’s goal is to separate the troublemaker from peace-loving citizens.

In all of my prison visits I never once desired to go back. I knew that I needed to for the solace of the one I visited. However, those visits were more of a downer than a comfort for me. I know, “It’s not about me!” But you get my point.

Paul’s words in Ephesians 4.1-3 are incredibly ironic. There are no accusing words, no grumbling complaints against the system and no pleas for clemency. Prisoner Paul places his detention completely within God’s will. He sees his lack of freedom as God’s problem and not his as he calls for good conduct among the brethren. The felon encourages the “free” to exhibit no less than six Christlike qualities. Notice them. He says “be:

humble,
gentle,
patient,
loving,
tolerant,
unified

How were the believers supposed to accomplish these qualities? By recognizing their bondage. Notice the last phrase of verse 3, keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Paul was bound by an iron shackle whether to a stone wall, wooden stake or Roman soldier. Bonds were very familiar to him. Bonds bind, hurt sometimes and limit personal freedoms.

Paul used his bonds as an example of how the believers were to be bound spiritually. That spiritual bond would limit their personalities too. Being, humble, gentle, patient, loving, tolerant and unified are restricting qualities. They crimp our style. But they are a part of God’s will. There must be no complaining nor clemency sought. Each believer, whether in Paul’s day or in ours, is to accept our Spirit given bonds. When we do peace reigns.

So, my friend look around you today and see the incarcerated. Practice being a model prisoner. Whether behind prison walls or on the other side of the assembly line those bound by sin are all around you. You hold the key to their new cell. The warden is the Holy Spirit and no one ever wants out of His detention center. So... give em the key!

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