The Prison Epistles (Part I)
Ephesians
How are you doing with your new normal? With hundreds of thousands of Americans now working from home and schools all across the country closed, we have to adapt to this new, temporary lifestyle. However, this social distancing and shelter-in-place lifestyle that we are observing shouldn’t disconnect us from God or our brothers and sisters in the faith. We can use this stay-at-home time similarly to the same way Paul used his time in prison. From 61-63 A.D., Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon while in prison in Rome. Paul didn’t resign himself to the chains and hang his head. He didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself or grow angry with God. There were still letters to write—God had things for Paul to say and he still said them. Use this time you have at home to spread the message of Christ’s love because nothing should ever stop us from spreading the message of Jesus. Your social media accounts are a great way to encourage others with truth and Scripture; they are a great platform to give people a message of hope when hope, like toilet paper, may be in short supply for a lot of people.
Over the next four posts we will be looking at verses from these prison epistles, looking at what Paul had to say to the church while he was locked up. Perhaps you can share some of these verses on your social media and spread the news like Paul did.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. (…) So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” (Ephesians 1:3, 6-7)
Right out of the gate Paul praises God and points to Him as the source of every spiritual blessing. Paul pointed out that we are united with Christ. United is a theme we are hearing a lot right now as we are told to stay away from people to slow the spread of this virus. #AloneTogether is a popular hashtag at the moment, trying to encourage people that while we have to isolate, it doesn’t mean we are alone. While Paul was in prison and unable to be with the church, he pointed out they were united with Christ. Even in this social distancing and quarantine time, we must not forget that we are united in Christ.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10)
We have written several blog posts with this verse at the center because it’s a message we all need to be reminded of from time to time. A masterpiece is the greatest thing an artist ever made. God made everything we see—the heavens, the earth, the sky, the land, the seas, the plants and animals—but none of those creations were made in His image. God reserved that honor for us. Paul reminds us that we are created anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things He planned for us to do. God has plans for you, specific things He’s planned for you to do. Are you walking with Him in such a way that you know what those plans are? Has He revealed any of them to you? Are you doing those good things He’s planned for you?
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Our current condition can easily foster bitterness, rage, anger, and harsh words. It’s hard for some people to be at home and not be allowed to go anywhere. The isolation can start to drive you a little nuts and that can lead to harsh words and anger which can lead to rage and then cause bitterness. If you’ve got children who are at home, perhaps they’ve been home for a few weeks now with school closures; the isolation can get to them, as well, but they don’t know how to express it, some may not even understand it, and they begin to act out. Their behavior can then stir up anger and harsh words in you. Paul doesn’t make any excuses for these behaviors and nor should we; it doesn’t matter why you chose to use harsh words or lash out in anger, Paul says to get rid of it all—all types of evil behavior. We wrote a post two years ago around just this verse called “The Get Rid Of List,” if you’d like to check that out.
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)
Paul describes the armor of God in verses 10-20 of Ephesians 6. It’s another verse that we wrote an entire post on, which you can read here. We have an enemy who has many strategies, and we cannot stand against him alone, but in these ten verses Paul breaks down the pieces of armor that we can put on to stand firmly with God against the attacks Satan may use against us. The first piece is the belt of truth, and in these uncertain times Truth cuts through the fog, the fear, and the lies. A belt holds everything in place, and the Truth that comes from God will do the same—His truth will hold everything in place.
Prison couldn’t stop Paul from spreading God’s message, and he didn’t have the Internet. Don’t let this time of social distancing and isolation stop you from spreading the message of hope and truth found in Scripture. Use your social media platforms to spread the love of God to everyone you can. If prison couldn’t stop Paul, then social distancing shouldn’t stop us!
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
—Redeemed
