Four books of the Bible were written by the apostle Paul while he was in prison. These books — Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon — are often referred to as the prison epistles. During his incarceration, Paul didn’t sit around pining for his freedom. He recognized the limited amount of time that he had on this earth to do God’s work. So, although in chains, Paul turned his captivity into productive imprisonment. “Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),” Colossians 4:10.
Paul was imprisoned on several occasions, lasting for many years. He used his time in prison to send letters to the people he cared about.
Paul wrote a letter to the church of Ephesus because he had heard about the issues that they were having. His letter addressed those issues and offered biblical solutions. Because Paul cared for the church of Ephesus, he devoted his time in captivity to helping them. This is productive imprisonment.
Paul also wrote a letter to the church of Colosse. He had heard that they were being led in a direction that was contrary to the gospel. Paul was deeply concerned about this church and for his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The purpose of this letter was to instruct, convict, and remind the Colossians of the true gospel that he had previously taught them.
The letter that Paul wrote to Philemon is unlike the other three prison epistles. It was not written to a church, but to the convict, Philemon. Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had wronged him. But, after seeking out Paul and hearing the gospel, Onesimus became a follower of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote the letter of Philemon to encourage him to forgive his slave so they could be reconciled.
The book of Philippians is the letter that Paul wrote to the church at Philippi. Again, he writes out of concern for the church and its members. Paul feels troubled for the gospel, for individuals, and for the body of believers as a whole. Paul wrote to assist them in their persecutions and issues. He also praised their loyalty to him.
Each of the letters that Paul sent also had a component of encouragement. Love drove Paul to write these letters. Because of this, Paul turned his incarceration into productive imprisonment.
Currently, we find ourselves in a new form of imprisonment. This quarantine feels a bit like being on house arrest. Socializing is almost impossible. Even worshiping together is not possible at this time. But we too can have a productive imprisonment.
We all know people who need a touch from us and, ultimately, from God. Someone will come to mind instantly if we ask God who He would have us reach out to.
Unlike the apostle Paul, we do not have to write entire books just to reach out to people. Technology is a blessing, allowing us to send emails and texts. There is an older population that would love to receive a card or postcard from us that just says that we are thinking of them. Young people would be equally excited to get a piece of mail containing a little bit of love and encouragement from us.
But contacting others isn’t the only way that our quasi-imprisonment can become productive. We can also spend more time reading the word of God. We can spend more time in prayer. Both will provide us with an opportunity to listen more closely to the voice of our Heavenly Father.
This is also the ideal time for preparation. We can utilize this time to prepare for those things that God is calling us to. Perhaps God has led us to be a leader or participant in a particular ministry. Or to start our own ministry, bible study, or prayer group. Maybe, He just wants us to begin a journal, jotting down the truths that He whispers to us each day. Whatever it is that God is calling you to do, there is no time like the present. Turn your captivity into productive imprisonment. Be productive for God.
God is not calling us to write epistles for inclusion in the Bible. It is already complete. But He is calling us to service. He has allowed this time for us to be away from the hustle and bustle of the workplace. If we only use the time that we had previously wasted commuting to explore what He is asking of us, that would be a significant amount of time.
Let’s not forget that we will all give an account for how we have used what God has given us. “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12. That includes this time of captivity.
During this difficult time, it may seem as though we are in captivity. But it is a time that God can use to grow us, bless us, and use us in a way that we may never experience again.
Send that text, email, or postcard. Pick up the phone and make that call. Open up the Word of God. Start that journal. Start the habit of a morning quiet time. Pray for those in isolation. Pray for those risking their lives as essential personnel. Spend time with God. Make your time in captivity a time of productive imprisonment for God.
Father God, we ask your forgiveness for the time that we have wasted. We ask forgiveness for each time that we have rejected the leading of the Holy Spirit and left that card, text, or email unsent. Forgive us for not journaling the messages we hear from you when we read your Word. And please forgive us for ignoring the nudge to spend quiet time with You. Father, convict us of the rare commodity that this time of captivity is for us — and all it can be for You.
Give us an unquenchable thirst, Father. Help us to use this time for Your purposes and to advance your kingdom. We praise You for the purpose and plan that You have for us, Father. Thank you that you can use us to minister to others. Let us move in your strength, leading, and love. May You be glorified, Father. Let this time of captivity be productive imprisonment for You. We pray this in the name of your precious Son, Jesus.
If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and feel like you are isolated or on house arrest, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). Please pray the prayer that you find outlined there. You are imprisoned, but it is not because of this quarantine. You’re in bondage to the guilt and consequences of sin. But Jesus wants to set you free!!!! PLEASE, go to that page. Freedom is waiting for you!!!! When you pray that prayer, or if you have any questions, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer for you.
Luv Ya!
