Paul arrived into Rome where he was bound by chains, prisoner in a home. Shackled to a guard, he was allowed visitors. Although he could not go out in the streets. There it was, he called to himself the Jews of the area. He so wanted them to know Jesus. Yes, his ministry had been among the gentiles primarily. However, his heart bled for the Jews. Despite their attempts to kill him in Jerusalem, he fearlessly called the Jews of this area. Then he said, “For the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain”. Bound by chains because he knew the one hope of the world, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, he was bound by chains because his heart bled for Israel that they too might know the one hope. Then, they would also know why the gospel message was for all people.
Am I bound by chains with passion to the one hope? Do I truly love God with all my heart, my strength, and my mind? What would my life look like if I did? Paul never missed an opportunity to tell others about Jesus. He marched straight into danger, driven by his passion for the lost. Without Jesus Christ, all of humanity is lost with no hope of salvation. Their eternity forever separated from God, tormented in hell. The lifetime on earth that we live is a split second compared to eternity. How can not be bound by chains of love to ministering to all we meet, regardless of the cost. For Jesus Christ is the one hope, the only hope for the lost of the world.
Bound by Chains to the One Hope
So easily in the storms, my mind and heart lose focus of this one thing. Why is it that I can be so easily distracted from this truth? Ah, we are fighting a battle against our own flesh and against the demons, principalities and darkness of this world. Satan wants to chain us to the cares and worries of this world, stealing from us the joy of our salvation. Thusly we turn our hearts away from the one hope and fail to tell others of Jesus. Truth is our hearts are either bound by chains to the world or to God. So, once more I must ask the question—what would my life or yours look like if truly we loved God with all our hearts, our minds, and our strength?
[bctt tweet=”God, I ask you bind my heart With chains of love for you That I might never try to depart There bound! Your will alone I do pursue” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”Oh, let my heart be bound by chains to the only hope Jesus Christ. So tightly bound heart to heart that my lips are compelled to always proclaim His name to everyone I meet.” username=”effiedarlene”]
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2019
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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