COLOSSIANS 4:18
"Remember my chains. May God's grace be with you. Paul."
How is life going for you today? Most believer's have never experienced being jailed for their beliefs. We live in a time and a place where persecution is not practiced to any great extent. We have freedom of religion and a right to practice it without interference. We often take this for granted and fail to remember that the founders of this country came here because they had experienced persecution for their beliefs in other countries. Many had suffered indignation's and imprisonment and even death for their beliefs. Being chained in a prison is something that the average American just can not identify with. How about you, have you ever been scared to express you beliefs to others for the fear of retribution and reprisals?
Paul was imprisoned and beaten and suffered other indignities as a result of spreading the Good News. He never wavered in his beliefs or the mission the Lord had given him. What would you do under the same circumstances? If you thought that you would be physically abused or placed in a jail in chains for spreading the Gospel, what would you do? That is why we repeat this one truth for today. Paul is praying that those who benefit from his degradation and imprisonment will in the future REMEMBER MY CHAINS! Today for just a moment, stop and remember that the Lord laid down His life for you and shed His blood on the cross to save you from death. Also remember that others, like Paul suffered and gave their lives to bring you the Good News.
Even though Paul was made to suffer and be in chains, in the same breath he prayed to God that God's grace could be with you. His prayer was for others and even future generations. He was unselfish and his concern was for all of us. That is the kind of faith and belief we need for today. There may come a time when discrimination and persecution could return to believer's. Thank God that we have examples to follow and emulate. In case you forget what to do Paul's advice is to REMEMBER MY CHAINS!
