As Paul describes the essence of the gospel in verses
8-9, there is one phrase that seems almost to be a passing line, but that I
think jumps off the page. Paul considers the gospel message something that is
of such value that he is willing to be chained in prison for preaching it. Yet
he points out that, contrary to him, “God’s word is not chained.”
Throughout history, and throughout our world today, many
have tried to stamp out God’s Word. It has been banned and criminalized by
those who oppose its teachings. It has been denied and belittled by those who
don’t wish to wrestle with the truth it presents. It has even been hidden from
people by religious leaders who wanted to make themselves the arbiters of what
it said. Many Christians have died not only standing firm for Jesus, but
refusing to give up or deny the Bible and its teaching.
Despite all these attempts, the Bible and its
presentation of Jesus Christ still have power to change people’s lives today.
The Bible truly is unchained. The Word is carried to every corner of the globe
through printed copies, radio messages, and the Internet. Many Christians spend
their lives making it accessible through translation and distribution. Others
risk their freedom and even their lives to get the Bible to those who seek to
know more about what it says.
We have looked at the power that the Word has, and how
that power is applied through the Holy Spirit. That power cannot be stopped or
stifled by human efforts. It may seem for a while that people succeed in
removing the Word from their world, but the power of God’s Word has always
emerged from their efforts with its power and majesty intact.
In his sermon “The Lover of God’s Law Filled With Peace,”
Charles Spurgeon draws this analogy: “The Word of God can take care of
itself, and will do so if we preach it, and cease defending it. See you that
lion. They have caged him for his preservation; shut him up behind iron bars to
secure him from his foes! See how a band of armed men have gathered together to
protect the lion. What a clatter they make with their swords and spears! These
mighty men are intent upon defending a lion. O fools, and slow of heart! Open
that door! Let the lord of the forest come forth free. Who will dare to encounter
him? What does he want with your guardian care? Let the pure gospel go forth in
all its lion-like majesty, and it will soon clear its own
way and ease itself of its adversaries.” The Bible has a
power that need sno defense. If we read it, learn it, and preach it, that power
will change lives today.
(Spurgeon’s sermon is well worth reading in its entirety.
You can find it online at
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