July 9 Devotion: The Prisoner of the Lord

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

         Paul refers to himself as “the prisoner of the Lord”. It is an interesting way of viewing our salvation relationship in Christ, but it is very telling as to how we should see it. A secular definition of being a prisoner is to be bound without the potential of escape. It is to be restrained or confined. It means to have one’s freedom taken away. However, this is not the spiritual definition and is not what Paul meant here in Ephesians.  

         To be a “prisoner of the Lord” is to be bound by cords of love and therefore, made free in Christ. This freedom affords us the ability to honor God which we could not do when we were bound by sin. It is the love of Christ that “constraineth us”. (2 Corinthians 5:14) It keeps us confined within the boundaries of grace. To be a prisoner is to be single-minded with a single purpose. It is a sealing by the Spirit that not only keeps us in but keeps the enemy out. To be a prisoner means to be a servant to the one who has bought us with a price and brought us into his family.

         Because of this, the verse tells us to “walk worthy of the vocation”. What is our vocation? We are prisoners and thank the Lord we are, because in this confinement is peace and joy, forgiveness and redemption, purpose and blessing. It is service with eternal benefits and value. It is a vocation that brings glory to God and is the highest of occupations. You would not think that the statement, “thank God I’m a prisoner” would make sense, but in Christ, it is the perfect place to be.

In Christ’s Service,

Bro. Adrian Moore

2 Cor. 4:5