An Ambassador in Bonds. Ephesians 6:19-20. “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.” An ambassador in bonds is uncommon. Usually, ambassadors are protected from prison. Opposition to the Gospel and the supremacy of our Lord Jesus Christ over all others makes those who oppose so angry that they imprison those trying to be a blessing to them. We are not alone or abandoned. We need to inform our brothers and sisters about what God is doing and what Satan is doing. The nature of the church is such that if one suffers, all suffer. There is great value in unity despite differences among people. Unity and diversity go hand in hand. Every believer needs the encouragement of words of love, and we must all remember that.
In chains for the sake of the kingdom of God, Paul sat in a dark prison and spoke to those who came to hear, listen, and think about truth, Christ, and facts that were previously unknown and unheard of. Two very different groups, Jews and Gentiles, were so far apart yet shared so much in common that to those observing from afar, it seemed like a mystery. To clarify, it must be understood that the mystery was revealed to attentive, waiting souls. Through divine wisdom that only comes from God, answers were given by the Holy Spirit through His servant. These answers revealed that Jews and Gentiles are united in Christ by the sacrifice of the Lamb, who gave Himself freely. The Gospel then becomes clear to all: we are one in Christ, one body in the Lord.
Though the words are far away to anxious waiting listeners at Ephesus, sitting in a holy gathering, they are there for everyone to hear; Christ’s ambassador also has desires. He needs their intercession at the throne of grace to hear the prayers of all who pray for him. He wants boldness to speak the truth in an unholy place and to be blessed by the unseen presence of the Master. He waits, speaks, and opens his mouth as befits an ambassador in bonds.
One after another, they come and take their places to guard the unarmed prisoner. Aside from prayers from distant believers and the Spirit near, and words of God's truth, there is no reason to fear the meek prisoner hidden behind prison bars. But when truth is unleashed, it sets guards who come to wonder and learn from him; The Way, the Truth, and the Life become their true, personal, and living Savior, and the guards are set free. The prayers of saints far away are unhindered by miles, cultures, waters, and language. Those prayers empower the words spoken behind the prison walls and free the guards, who hear God's voice from Paul’s lips. In repentance, faith, and hope, they accept the new life God offers and spread its message wherever they go in the Roman Empire. The ambassador and those who pray share equally in God’s own joy—and glory.
Peace arrives when there is reconciliation. The Lord made peace between us and God through the blood of His cross. Peace among saints happens when we recognize the value of diversity while maintaining the unity of the Spirit in an assembly held together in the bond of peace. Peace within families occurs when efforts at reconciliation succeed. Faith depends on God to reveal those things we may not see or understand yet. But we trust God, who knows everything. Grace is the living demonstration of those genuinely interested in the well-being of others. Love for our Lord Jesus Christ cannot be faked but will be obvious and clear when it is sincere. The entire book of Ephesians elevates us above the ordinary and allows us to see what is happening in this age and at this specific time through God’s eyes. This gives us an understanding of how blessed we are to be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms, how important it is to walk worthy of our calling, and how urgent it is that we remain loyal when attacks are made to cause us to surrender our faith.