2Timothy 2:9. “The Word of God is not bound.” FREEDOM. Do you ever seem boxed in? Do you ever feel like there is nowhere else to go, no one else to turn to, nothing else you can do? All of us have been in that situation and probably will be again. So, what can we do? Paul was in trouble. He was imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel. He was considered an evil-doer. He could have used the situation he was in as a basis for self-pity or appealed to someone to make changes for him. He had learned by experience that among all the difficulties and uncertainties of a day’s events, one thing remains the same. It can produce results in every situation – “the Word of God is not bound.” It is not bound by prison walls. When an innocent person suffers and looks for justice – “the Word of God is not bound.” When physical pain is a constant companion, and there is no relief, the Word of God is not bound.” When the family life you so love seems to be coming apart at the seams, and there is nothing you can do to change it, “the Word of God is not bound. If there is one abiding constant that remains when all else is in jeopardy – remember, “The Word of God is not bound.”
“O Father, of freedom and liberty in Christ Jesus our Lord: Thanks so much for the scent of freedom that is in the air whenever the Gospel is preached. One can enjoy ahead of time the extent of the words, “free indeed.” Thanks for the liberty of being part of a kingdom of priests who can offer spiritual sacrifices without the bondage of forms imposed by men. Thanks for the freedom that comes with the blessed restrictions of being in Thy family. There is room for all the Word of God in the heart, and yet the world cannot contain the books that could be written about the blessed work of our Lord Jesus Christ when He was on earth. The promise of an “unbound Word” gives me courage to keep reading it, preaching it, learning from it, applying it, and promoting it whenever possible. Amen.”
The word of God does explain it, and that is what a loyal servant does when he preaches the Gospel and teaches the word of God to believers. We have to explain that the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ was not because of any law-breaking, but because of the life-changing power of the Gospel of the grace of God. People may put the servant-messenger in bonds or chains, but the "word of God is not bound" and will continue to accomplish its work. When one person's work is finished, others are raised up by God to carry on the preaching of the word of God. There is a cost associated with being faithful to the word of God and salvation through Christ Jesus alone.
Some things go together. God allows suffering in one person to bring blessing to others. There are those God is going to save by means of the preaching of the Gospel. We preach the word, because it is to that work we have been called. Saving people is what God does, and He is going to have the saved ones glorified with Christ. A true and trustworthy saying is that our association with Christ through death, burial, and resurrection means we live now with Him and shall forever reign with Him. There is suffering and rejection now, because of this, that is to be expected. No matter what the cause of death, the fact is that we will live with Christ, who will raise the dead. Suffering for Him now gives us the privilege of sharing in His glory and victory in the future. The judgment seat of Christ will give recognition and reward for "things done in the body." The future kingdom will be where we "will reign with Him."
There is a challenge that comes to us, that even though we may suffer for Him, we may fail because of our lack of faith when we are under the pressure of life or opposition. But our Lord is not going to fail us - ever. He has promised to be with us unto "the end of the age." He is available to us at any time, because we belong to Him. There is also the challenge for us to remember that we are "to deny (ourselves) himself, take up his cross and follow Me." God does not change in any way, so what He has promised, He will do in spite of our lack of faith.
Believers have to be reminded constantly of this instead of arguing over trivial things that don't matter. Senseless arguments confuse people and are totally useless, as well as being harmful. Truth needs to be reviewed often in order for it to be retained. When we review the “ministry” we have received from the Lord, and are conscious of being in the presence of the Lord, we become more conscious of its importance and its impact on both believers and unbelievers. Meaningless talk turns people away from the reality of salvation. If we allow "striving about words to no profit" and don't take steps to stop it, it can ruin the lives of those who listen to the wrong things.
As a workman in spiritual things, we have a blueprint to follow; "the word of truth," and it gives us the purpose of our calling and the work we are to do is made unmistakably clear. It tells us how to accomplish our work and gives the result of it. A skilled workman gives due diligence to the "word of truth" and its impact on himself, in order to present it the way it should be taught to others. This workman has, through study and practice, acquired such skill at his job that he is able to present himself before his Master as one who has done, and can do, work of which he is not ashamed. We don’t have to be ashamed of the service of Christ, but just of our own efforts. When one has his senses exercised to discern both good and evil, the Holy Spirit will guide and instruct those who have been equipped. Divine approval is a result of one's commitment to diligent preparation, earnest and faithful labor, and following through on the responsibility we have been given. There is no allowance for distortion of the truth. It is to be presented clearly, without a whole lot of side issues to detract us from its straightforward message.
Turning away from foolish chatter to solid truth Avoiding those whose values are of little or no worth Shunning those whose words undermine our faith Remember who you belong to and walk away.
The problems that come as a result of false teaching are confusing False teachers their position as leaders are abusing They challenge the word of truth and simple faith accusing Remember the truth of the Gospel and do not stray.
Study the word diligently and to the truth be consistent Meditate on what you read and learn - be persistent Do not be ashamed of who you are and what you believe - be insistent Remember the truth - take time to watch and pray.
It is imperative that we be consistent and correct in our study of the scripture, so we will "rightly divide the word of truth." If we neglect the scriptures, we are neglecting God. When we neglect God, we are missing the reason for our existence in this life. This truth comes from God and is not open for discussion as to whether it is right or wrong. There is no reason to be ashamed of that which we know is right. It is up to us to handle the word of God right. Our attitude toward the word of truth, our commitment to it, our grasp of it, the way we live it; all affect the way people we present it to, accept it. Some discussion over the scriptures with a desire to learn is profitable and is a way of teaching. It is our responsibility to keep such learning times on track in order to better learn the scriptures. When it becomes fruitless and trivial, we are to reject it.
It is up to us to avoid profane and useless theories that are brought up by people who either are not Christians or are self-opinionated believers. They and their teaching must be rejected. The word of truth is in contrast to the unholy, empty, profitless opinions of those who want to promote their false doctrine as the truth. We are to avoid and reject that ungodliness that infects people like a disease. False doctrine spreads like gangrene and eats away at the faith of God's people. Hymenaeus had already been delivered over to Satan because of his false teaching about the resurrection. Now another person, Philetus, joins Alexander in making a shipwreck of his life by listening to and promoting false teaching. The Sadducees had false teaching about the resurrection. Perhaps some believed the resurrection of "many saints" who rose after Christ rose was the only resurrection. Many believe only in a spiritual resurrection and think the body will not be raised.
Troublemakers can bring spiritual ruin on the people of God. Some teach lies, some believe the lies, some distort the truth, and some water down the truth. But God's truth remains unchanged and unchangeable, and will never fade away into insignificance. "The truth" is the whole body of teaching we know as "the faith. That teaching is missing in the false teaching of those who distort it, and the consequences are lasting in their effect. It is our responsibility to know and follow God's truth in our teaching and living.