Paul said these words to King Agrippa while on trial for teaching and encouraging, the Jews and Gentiles alike, to repent of their sins and follow Christ. He was literally and physically in chains. Acts 26:29 reads, Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” Paul (formerly known as Saul) was a man who had lived on both sides of the cross to the fullest. He starts out persecuting and punishing Christians. He was a man determined to send believers to jail or the grave. That is, until he encounters Jesus for himself along a dusty road. And just like that...his chains are gone.
In Acts 26:29, Paul prays that everyone become like him. Meaning his prayer is that everyone comes to terms with their sins and finds freedom in Christ’s salvation. Paul was a man all in, fully devoted to Christ. He trusted God wholeheartedly. He willingly spent his days bringing believers to Christ knowing full well his life could and would be in danger. Paul’s chains were physical ones. Ones he carried with him every day, everywhere. How many of us can relate to that image? How many of us call ourselves Christians? We love and worship a mighty God. We know in our hearts we have been saved...yet, we just can’t quite let go of those chains. It’s not that they still bind us. Christ shattered them the minute the Holy Spirit breathed true life into our souls. When we let God into our world and our lives, it’s not a conditional thing for Him. He doesn’t release a link every time we do something that pleases him. God doesn’t sit on his throne and scrutinize us. He’s not keeping score. The minute we turn to Him, he’s all in. No questioning, no second guessing, no doubting. So, what aren’t we willing to let go of? What’s keeping us chained?
Chains are the work of the enemy. We all know Satan is a jerk who manipulates and deceives. He thrives on keeping us wrapped up in our shackles. Tells us it’s where we belong...makes us believe it. Satan can manipulate those chains, turning them into something beautiful to show off or something so ugly we do everything we can to keep them hid. He exploits our weaknesses, convinces us we deserve them, whether shiny or dull. No matter what they look like, they are not from Christ, never from Christ. We all have chains and no matter what the chain looks like, it’s as equally binding as the next one. Mine might seem dismal compared to someone’s polished one but we’re both bound. We’re both stuck and not moving forward. Neither of us is living the life God intended for us.
God wants us to live a life of freedom. Free from the lies that Satan feeds us. Free from the hurt and pain of this world. God wants us to choose Him and trust in His truths. He wants us to turn to Him, even with the chains gripped tightly in our outstretched hands. These chains that we can’t seem to let slip from our fingers represent trust. Every time we extend our hand to Jesus and give him another link, we are trusting Him. Trusting that He loves us through all the junk that connects us to this world. Paul says, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” Paul knew not everyone could jump in head first, just as Jesus does. Christ knows letting go of our chains isn’t always easy. For some, trust is something that needs to be released, link by link. That process is just that, a process. It takes time. It’s more than just saying you love Christ and you invite Him into your life. That is the first step. Beyond that takes time and energy and trust and grace. Know you’re not always going to get it right. You might have seasons where you let go of one link, but cling to two more. Allow yourself patience and grace and keep pushing forward. Recognize what is keeping you bound and from living the life God designed for you. Pray to God, talk to Him. Tell Him your hurts and fears and concerns. Ask for His help to work through your links, both shiny and dull. And when you’re ready, lay it at His feet. It doesn’t matter if it’s one link or two or the whole darn thing. Trust Him. We can live a life free from chains. A life we all deserve no matter what kind of lies Satan has whispered to us in the dark. When Christ died on that cross all those years ago, He crushed the chains that bind us. It is up to us to lay them down and let them go.
“My chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior, has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercy rains unending love, amazing grace.”
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin
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