2 Timothy 2: 9-10
"For which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory."
Paul was in a difficult situation when he wrote the Timothy letters. Actually he received very favorable treatment during the first two years of his imprisonment in Rome, living by himself in a rented house guarded only by the soldiers. Later he was however in chains like a prisoner, and all the friends deserted him. Paul knew there was little chance for his release, and the execution order might come soon; if we are in this situation, even we may not moan about the injustice, for sure we'll live in sorrow every day. But Paul at that time could overcome his captivity by remembering the Lord.
Since he remembered the Lord's suffering, so he endured everything for the sake of the gospel, just as Jesus' suffering will bring the gospel of salvation to the world. Likewise through his suffering, the Lord can make more people enjoy the blessings of salvation by believing in Jesus. Therefore he could still endure even though he was in a difficult situation, not just endure but endure everything. Can we learn the lesson of enduring everything for the sake of the gospel? Many people can endure while at church, but let their tempers overcome them when they are back home, then how can we expect the family members and children to get close to God through us?
Next, since he remembered the Lord's victory, thus he was able to see that God's word is not chained. Apparently, since Paul was chained and so it appeared the word of the Lord was also being chained. In fact, God's word was never chained in the past, and never be chained in the future, because God's word is the life of resurrection and victory. People can be chained, but life can never be chained. Previously a sister Liu Xia in Taiwan used by God, even though her body was in chained condition, beset with immobility, and feeling the aches and pains every day; but she wrote essays that were filled with the joy of the Lord. During an earthquake, the neighbors all ran away from their homes, only she remained on her wheelchair unable to go anywhere, once the earthquake was over, the neighbors then went to her house, seeing that she sat there with great joy, and said, "Rest assured because the Lord is in my heart." Brothers and sisters, you need to remember the Lord's triumph, and then you are able to see God's word, because his life will never be chained.
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