Being HIS prisoner!

[Amylisa]

HANDCUFFED TO JESUS



Paul often refers to himself as "the prisoner of Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:1).

In Ephesians 4:1 he says being a prisoner of the Lord is actually his vocation,

his calling! He considered this God's gift of grace to him (Ephesians 4:7).



Paul wrote to Timothy: "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our

Lord, nor of me his prisoner" (2 Timothy 1:8). Even into his old age the

apostle rejoiced in having been apprehended by the Lord and taken captive to

his will: "Being such an one as Paul the aged, and now [or still] also a

prisoner of Jesus Christ" (Philemon 9).



Paul could tell you the very hour that the Lord handcuffed him and took him

captive. He was on the road to Damascus, with letters in hand from the high

priest, bound and determined to bring back Christians to Jerusalem. He was

"breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord"

(Acts 9:1)—full of hatred, bitterness and anger in his misguided zeal for

God.



As he approached the city of Damascus, "Suddenly there shined round about him a

light from heaven" (Acts 9:3). He was struck completely blind by that

light—which was Christ!

Paul testified again and again how he had to be taken by the hand and led into

Damascus, a helpless prisoner. He spent three days in an isolated room without

sight and without eating anything. He'd been taken captive totally—in spirit,

soul, mind and body!



What happened in that room for three days? The Lord was handcuffing Saul and

making him into Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ!



In this vivid scene, Paul lets go of his independence and submits to Christ's

yoke. He stretches forth his hands to Jesus, to be handcuffed for life! You can

almost hear his agonizing prayer: "O, Lord, I thought I was doing your will! How

could I have been so blind? I've been going my way, doing whatever I thought was

right. I can't trust my own thoughts!"



My prayer is, "Here, Jesus, take my hands and put your manacles on me. Take me

prisoner to your will and lead me wherever you want me to go. Keep me

handcuffed to your mighty right arm!"

by David Wilkerson

 

[aiki]

Actually, it is more likely that Paul was speaking of his literal imprisonment that had come about through his missionary efforts to the Gentiles. The letter to the Ephesians was written during the early part of Paul's imprisonment at Rome. Therefore, when Paul says he is a "prisoner of Jesus Christ" he is most likely making a reference to the fact that his service to Christ in ministering to the Gentiles has resulted in his becoming a prisoner.

Sometimes contemporary Christian writers look so hard for something new to say about the Scripture that they see in passages what isn't really there. I like the sentiment Wilkerson shares, but it isn't really justified from the verses in Ephesians he uses as a basis for his comments.

Selah.

 

[stormdancer0]

I offered myself to His service a long time ago. I accept the "chains" of freedom - the ones that come from being HIS prisoner. I defy anyone to take them from me, They are my most treasured possession. They are not locked - I could put them down any time. But why would I?

I love the idea of being His prisoner. Even His belonging. Not politically correct, I know.


But I've NEVER been politically correct, so why start now?!!