Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles…"
Text: Ephesians 3:1
A FORMIDABLE SPIRIT OF FAITH
Paul displayed a formidable spirit of courageous faith. He was absolutely unafraid of any suffering that he might have to endure for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ.
APPRECIATING THIS SPIRIT OF FAITH
The historian Luke gives us an important insight as to how Paul developed this powerful spirit of faith in the following text.
“And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem,
not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying,
that chains and tribulations await me.
But none of these things move me;
nor do I count my life dear to myself,
so that I may finish my race with joy,
and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus,
to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
ACTS 20:22-24
1. “I go bound”
This phrase is most significant. It gives us an important clue as to how Paul was able to cope with the reality of being a prisoner for the sake of Christ.
a) A significant use of the perfect tense
“I go bound” is actually just one word “dedomenos”. This word is closely related to the word “prisoner” (“desmios”). This Perfect participle tells us a number of things:-
i) In his mind, Paul had already thought of himself as having been bound already.
ii) The reality of his actual imprisonment only fulfils what had already been decided upon.
iii) Paul was thus wonderfully prepared mentally to become a prisoner for the sake of the Gospel.
b) Intimations from the Spirit of God
i) The personal witness of the Spirit of God to Paul.
ii) Repeated warnings of the Spirit of God in every city.
iii) That “chains and tribulations awaited”.
2. “None of these things move me”
Paul determined that he would not allow the prospect of suffering affect his determination to do the following:-