Paul’s inspired words to the church is and will always be boundless.
2 Timothy 2:8-9 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead and descended from David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer to the point of being bound like a criminal. But the word of God is not bound.
Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to Timothy. He was literally in chains. His circumstances had him physically bound. He made it a point to contrast his circumstances with the word of God.
Paul was bound by shackles but the Word of God: It is not bound.
Bound can be used in several different contexts
- Bound as an adjective (describing word): Certain or likely (example: it’s bound to happen)
- Bound meaning-Obligated: Forced by law, duty, or rules (example: bound by the agreement)
- Bound meaning- Headed somewhere (example: A train bound to a destination)
- Bound as a verb (action word) To jump: to move forward by leaping or springing (example: The dog bounded across the yard)
- Bound meaning-To limit: To form a border or boundary (example: The trees bound the edge of the property)
Paul was contrasting his persecution/circumstances that imprisoned him, at that moment, to the word he was writing that would never be bound.
God is boundless and so His word will forever remain boundless.
Ephesians 1:19 and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. (NASB)
Boundless means no ending and God is eternal therefore His word has no ending and is eternal.
1 Timothy 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 1:25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this word is the gospel that was proclaimed to you.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Every problem we have, we can look into the scriptures and find the answers.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.
The word of God is not subject to our personal problems. Meaning our circumstances do not stop/bind or stifle the power of God’s word.
Circumstances… the things we are facing... The opposition that we feel…
These are all temporal. Only for a moment. Only for a season.
But God’s Word is forever.
Joshua 21:45: "Not one of all the good promises the Lord had given to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."
Bound meaning- Certain or likely
GOD’S WORD IS BOUND TO HAPPEN
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Isaiah 55:11: God's word "will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Matthew 5:18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished.
Bound meaning-Obligated: Forced by law, duty, or rules
GOD’S WORD IS LAW
Romans 7:12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.
Matthew 5:17-18 “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Bound meaning- Headed somewhere; meaning jump; to move forward
GOD’S WORD IS ACTIVE/LIVING/EFFECTIVE
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Acts 17:28 For in him we live and move and have our being…
Bound meaning-To limit: To form a border or boundary
THE WORD OF GOD SETS BOUNDARIES/GUARDRAILS/ IT GUIDES
Psalm 16:6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
Psalm 12:6-7 The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times.
John 14:6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Joshua 1:8-9 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. 9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
We have an incredible gift in the Bible God gave us. You are going to just have to have faith that what He gave us is His word. We have to trust His word.
Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.
It is the only sword you have to defend the attacks that we face daily.
God’s Word was not subject to Paul’s imprisonment. The Word of God is not subject to our personal struggles. Our circumstances do not stand in the way of the power of His word.
God’s word is bigger than our problems, but what do we focus on?
Our problems or the Word of God?
I’m not saying you ignore your issues. Exact opposite.
Are you struggling with unforgiveness?
Take the time. Get serious with your bible. Google search scriptures about forgiveness and write every one of them down. Read them out loud every day.
Are you sick and need healing? Get serious about your healing and find the scriptures that speak to healing.
Are you struggling with anxiety and worry? Ge serious about transforming your mind.
Find scriptures about your circumstances. Write them out. Meditate on them. Discuss it with a friend; discuss it with The Lord. Pray about these scriptures and ask the holy spirit to guide you.
Take an active role in applying the word of God to your wounds like a salve (a medical ointment to help your wounds heal).
Psalm 107:19-22 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; he saved them from their distress. 20 He sent his word and healed them; he rescued them from their traps. 21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his faithful love and his wondrous works for all humanity. 22 Let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices and announce his works with shouts of joy.
Proverbs 4:20-23 My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. 21 Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.
We have to work out our salvation.
Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
We have to read and listen to the word of God
Romans 10:17 faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ
We have to renew our minds
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
We have to take captive every thought
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
Apply the boundless Word of God to every part of your life so that you are no longer bound.
1 John 4:4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us
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