Beyond the Walls

August 30

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

We are called by a prisoner to do the impossible! What can he know about forbearing in love, keeping the unity of the spirit, abiding in peace? What can a man know of interacting with others when he is chained in a Roman dungeon and interacts with no one? What can he know of walking worthy of a calling when he goes nowhere and is with nobody but the centurion who guards him?

Paul knew his audience was limited, but he knew it was important for at least two reasons. First and foremost, because each individual is highly valued in the sight of God, Paul knew he must do his best to reveal Christ's truth to the man who was assigned to guard him in his dark, dank chamber. Second, Paul knew that each guard who rotated in and out of his prison cell was a member of the Praetorian Guard.

A cursory knowledge of history tells us that Paul's jailors were men who had distinguished themselves as centurions, as commanders of groups of 100 soldiers, to attain the standing of bodyguard of the emperor. The men who guarded him in his dungeon would perhaps be guarding Nero himself on their next watch. Paul believed that the truth of salvation would never go beyond the walls of his prison cell unless these men carried it forth.

Like Paul, we have the truth of Jesus within us. Like him, we do not have the power to reach beyond the small sphere of influence that has been entrusted to each of us, so like him, we must endeavor to reach those nearest to us with the Word of God and trust it to take root in and go forth from them to others who also need salvation through the Lord's propitiatory life, death and resurrection.

Like Paul, we must forbear in love, abide in peace, and keep the unity of the Spirit. Like him, we must walk worthy of the calling we have from Christ Jesus. Like him, we must assure that those whose lives touch ours see the Christ in our heart when they look upon us. When we live up to the trust that has been placed in us, we, too, may ultimately touch those in high places with the reality of their need for the ONE who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

And if we are faithful in that, perhaps He will trust us to reach beyond the walls our lifetimes to future generations as He allowed Paul to do, touching countless multitudes with the truth of the One who is the Living Word who came to save all who will believe.