What does it mean to be a “prisoner of the Lord”? The apostle Paul was a literal prisoner incarcerated in Rome for his faith. He wrote many of his letters from prison, including Ephesians. Ephesians 4:1 Paul writes: “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” I personally believe he was stating both the obvious (he was literally in a prison cell in Rome) and also declaring to the church at Ephesus that he was a prisoner – not Nero or Rome.

The Greek word Paul used does describe someone who is bound or made a captive of someone else. Paul was not bound by Nero, but he was bound to the Lord. In fact, Acts 20:22-23 Paul states to the Ephesian elders on his way out of town, “And now, behold, , I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.” He was already a “prisoner of the Lord” so he could say (verse 24) “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” His identity was fully yielded to the will and plan of God for his life so bonds, afflictions and prison did not cause him to waver from the assignment that the Lord gave to him.

There is support of this concept throughout scripture. We are called to live in such a way that “our life is not our own.” We are called to live our lives surrendered to Him, knowing that He is free to do with us whatever He desires. I have written in the past about being His “bond slave” – we have voluntarily given ourselves to Him to do with as He pleases. It is a matter of the heart. A bond slave is a love slave – one who volunteers to continue serving his master even after his legal time is completed. He loves and knows his master will take care of him for the rest of his life.

In the Old Testament we see examples of men who truly demonstrated this kind of heart. Daniel and Joseph both come to mind as examples of ones who faced incarceration, but allowed it to mold and shape their characters in such a powerful way, that they rose to the top leadership positions in the country that held them in bondage. They became a blessing to that leader and country and continued to worship the True and Living God in the midst of their adverse circumstances. They were tested and tried for their faith in God, but came through all the trials and tests without compromising what they knew to be the truth.

Paul did not fear imprisonment or death. He had seen God’s faithfulness in the midst of what he suffered for the sake of the gospel and being a “prisoner of the Lord.” Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned for their faith, but at midnight they were singing hymns and worshipping the Lord. When God supernaturally made a way for them to escape, they chose to stay and as a result the Philippian jailer and his whole family were saved. When we are truly a prisoner of the Lord, we face adverse circumstances very differently than those who do not know Him or have submitted themselves to Him.

I remember hearing the story of some believers who wanted to reach a certain people group. They actually sold themselves as slaves to get the opportunity to share the gospel with this unreached and unreachable people. That is a high price to pay to express to people just how much God loves them. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt. 16:25)

True freedom comes when we fully surrender to the Lord. Who or what are you in bondage to? When we choose to become a prisoner of the Lord, we will find true freedom. If anything else holds you captive, then you are not truly free. “He whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.” “It was for freedom that Christ came to set you free.” As His love slave or prisoner, it is chains of love that bind us to do His will with a grateful and thankful heart. It should bring us great joy to walk in obedience to His commandments. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

God is looking for Sons and Daughters that want to please Him and that have the maturity to obey Him even when it is difficult. Jesus as a man had to go through all of the desires and temptations that we do. At the end of His life here on this Earth He was still making those choices – for us. He chose the Father’s will over His own, knowing that is what it would take to bring us back into relationship with His Father. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher (perfecter) of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3) Jesus is our forerunner, our pattern and our example.