PRISONER IN THE LORD

PRISONER IN THE LORD

Roger T. Forster

Reading: Ephesians 3:21 – 4:6

NORMALLY we tend to make a close connection between the ideas of glory and liberty. We assert that it is a glorious thing to be free, never questioning that not to have liberty is surely to be in an inglorious situation. In the Roman letter the apostle tells us that the wonderful new age to be introduced at Christ’s coming again can only be described as “the liberty of the glory of the sons of God”. When there is true freedom then there will be real glory. We also read of the Spirit of the Lord bringing such freedom — “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” — and Peter assures us that the Spirit of the Lord is the Spirit of glory. It is therefore a natural link to put the ideas of glory and liberty together. We speak of a glorious meeting, a glorious church, and think at once of the coming together of a people who are a free people, a people who are not bound or tied up.

Nevertheless we find, in this close connection between Ephesians 3 and 4, that Paul linked glory with restriction, with being, in fact, a prisoner. What appears at first to be a contradiction is really the other side of the coin, the balancing truth which defines what freedom truly is. This other side is a more difficult aspect for men of the twentieth century with its spirit of permissiveness, anarchy and the throwing off of all restraint. To think as precisely and carefully of the true nature of freedom may be more difficult for us now than it was for those of other ages. Yet it involves the secret of true glory.

Paul follows his prayer that there may be glory in the Church with an immediate self-description as “the prisoner in the Lord”. He has already called himself “the prisoner of Christ Jesus” (3:1), and he concludes the letter with the reminder that as Christ’s ambassador he is “in chains” (6:20). So by the use of the different prepositions Paul declares himself to be the prisoner of the Lord and the prisoner in the Lord.

By his many imprisonments Paul had become familiar with the restrictions which prison life entails. It is true, of course, that it was by being in prison that he found time and opportunity to write those beautiful epistles which were born out of his experiences of Christ. In this way we have all benefited from what God is able to get out of the apostle’s imprisonments, releasing for others, right down to this twentieth century the measure of Christ which was in him as God’s servant. One of the great spiritual truths stressed in this letter to the Ephesians is the eternal purpose of God for the Church. This is that in the Church there might be glory for God, or better still that there might be ‘the glory’ in the Church. Paul had already spoken of “the praise of his glory” (1:12) and also of “my tribulations for you which is your glory” (3:13), but in 3:21 he reached the great climax of what God is after, namely that now there should be glory — or better ‘the glory’ — in the Church. In order, then, that there might be a Church in which the deposit of divine glory should be found, Paul continued: “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord …” immediately connecting his restrictions and seaming limitations with ‘the glory’. How different this is from our usual connotations of connecting glory with freedom! It was as though Paul were affirming that in his case glory could only come by imprisonment. He himself was content to be a prisoner, for he was not in prison just as any other captive might be, but was in prison ‘in the Lord’. We note that it was not just that he was a prisoner for the Lord — though he was that — but that he claimed to be a prisoner in the Lord. In other words, as he looked around his cell he did not only see stones and chains and guards, but he saw the Lord. He was enabled to see beyond his circumstances, looking behind them and finding Christ there. So he could claim that in reality he was imprisoned in Christ, confined and restricted in Christ, and he pointed out that the glory will only be found in the Church if its members are men and women who know the spiritual reality of captivity to Christ. Glory is expressed in the Church not by emotional atmospherics or noisy excitement but by those who truly accept the restrictions of being “in Christ”.

And there are restrictions. But before we speak of them we do well to enquire what glory is. It is exceedingly difficult to define. When we encounter something which takes our breath away, filling us with awe and wonder; when we have a sense of deep, satisfying harmony in the presence of what seems so right, so beautiful, so different from all else, then we want to worship. Now it is glory [41/42] which evokes this worship, for true glory is found only in the experienced presence of God Himself. Paul had already told the Ephesians that the riches of the glory of God are given to us by the Spirit. For us, then, the glory of God is His greatness, His wonderful presence, brought into the Church by the Holy Spirit. Now if glory comes to us it always has the effect of provoking us to give glory to God. A really glorious Church in which the glory of God resides is continually glorifying Him — it cannot help doing so. The automatic response to God’s riches and greatness being channelled into us, His people, as He works through one, reveals something of His character in another, overcomes difficulties in another, is that we all give glory to Him.

“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord …”. Paul looked around his prison cell and from his familiarity with prison conditions was inspired to use this as a kind of illustration of what it means to be restricted and limited within the sphere of Christ Himself. Some things are obvious. It means that we have no liberty to sin. The restrictions of Christ’s holiness are ours also. Further, it imposes limitations as to whom we depend on. If a man is shut up in prison, he has to depend on whoever governs for supplies, for programme, for food and for exercise in the courtyard. It follows that prison life is free from some of the normal worries of the day, which is a happy aspect for us, but it also means that we have to accept what is provided. If we are prisoners in the Lord then we must expect to be governed by His directions, to be given a programme for our lives and we must learn to be content with the provisions which He supplies. This is no real limitation — far from it. One of the pernicious features of our permissive society is that when men are continually demanding freedoms and calling for their rights, they are trying to strip off restrictions which were never made to be so thrown off. Man was made to be restricted by his real manhood, by his being a human being and eventually a son of God. That is the dignity of a true man. It follows that the person who is all the time seeking an elusive freedom under the guise of permissiveness, finishes up in frustration and bitter disillusionment. Paul had ceased from the quest for false liberty; he had learned in whatsoever state he was to be content; and he had done so by being imprisoned in Christ.

Paul’s Last Words

 

Paul’s Message for Today: Chapter 14 – Paul’s Last Words

By J.R. Miller

2 Timothy 4:1-18

      It is the year A.D. 64, and the great apostle is lying in a damp Roman prison cell waiting for his final trial. Two charges are filed against him; one, taking part in the burning of Rome, July 19, A.D. 64; the other, treason, in attempting to change the established customs of society and weaken imperial authority. All his friends, except Luke, have forsaken him; he is becoming nerved for martyrdom; before his fate is sealed–he writes a final farewell word to Timothy. He began, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge!” 2 Timothy 4:1

      Life is very serious. We are always standing before God who is our Judge. Our commonest days–are judgment days. We should learn to do everything ‘in the presence of God’. This makes every word and act serious. If only we were more conscious of God and of eternity–we would live better!

      “Preach the Word.” Timothy was not making the most of himself. He seems to have been indolent–he was not preaching with the burning ardor which should characterize a minister of Christ. Paul wished to stir him up to do better work. He charges him to preach the Word, not only in season–at the stated times of public service–but out of season, wherever and whenever he had opportunity. Many of us are not making the most of our life. We are not doing our best in our efforts to help save the world. From this Roman prison comes the call to everyone to arouse his best energies in behalf of the kingdom of Christ.

      “Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all patience.” The minister is to watch the souls entrusted to his care–as a shepherd watches his sheep. Perhaps a word at the right time may prevent their wandering altogether away. Yet no duty of friendship is so difficult–as that of reproof or rebuke. Too often the word of admonition is sharp, bitter, and censorious. Paul wisely adds that we need to have all patience in our exhorting or rebuking of others. Words of reproof should always be spoken in love and patience.

      Not always do people receive graciously the simple truths of God’s Word. “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear!” Plain, old fashioned teaching is not brilliant enough to please them. The old, old story lacks interest, and they want something new. The fault is with the hearers, not with the teachers. “Take heed how you hear,” is one of the Master’s wise exhortations. Of course, one should teach well. There is no excuse for being boring or dull in presenting the truths of Christianity. Paul urges Timothy to do his part with earnestness for the very reason that the people would be apt to turn away to fables, instead of listening to the old gospel.

      The words of exhortation are emphasized by Paul’s closing message about himself. They were his parting thoughts. Before he had spoken of Timothy–now he spoke of himself, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

      “I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.” It is interesting to study Paul’s view of death as we have a glimpse of it here. He thinks of it in two ways. He was about to die as a martyr, and this made his death an offering to God. His life would be poured out on the altar as a sacrifice.