27th October 2025

When I think about the Apostle Paul, I see a very powerful and strong Christian man; one to look up to. It is not because he was so perfect, he was thought to have weak eyes because of the large letters he wrote with (Galatians 6:11). Not everything he tried to do worked out right. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 mentions more trouble than we have experienced in a lifetime. His efforts to teach the word of God did not always experience a warm welcome or seem to have a positive result. Yet, he was called by God to do a work for him.

How about you? Do you become discouraged when your efforts for God seem to be a waste of time? Have you asked for volunteers only to find no one’s name on the list? Invited guests to church that never returned. Have you felt you preached to an empty room? We can feel like we have failed in our service to God, that we can never be like the strong and powerful Christians we read about, but God doesn’t expect us to rely on our own strength but on his. Paul reminded Timothy that he was all that God called him to be. Paul gave the example of his own imprisonment in our header scripture: ‘And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.’

What we do, or do not do, does not hinder the work of God. Paul made a powerful statement when he said that the word of God cannot be chained. God’s word is powerful and cannot be stopped by humankind or by the powers of evil. Satan thought he had won the battle with the death of Jesus Christ on that cross, but instead he soon found out that the power of God had won without a hint of failure. The victory was our own as well.

Paul may have been in prison, but the word of God was still being preached, and Paul had demonstrated his faith in God. Hebrews 11 is called the faith chapter, and many examples are given of those who stood their ground against opposition. We do not all have to experience the same kinds of trials as they did, but we all need to cling to God in faith in our daily walk. We do not demonstrate our own power, but that of God in our life as we trust in his salvation, as we demonstrate our hope in our future with him. We remember Jesus Christ, and we preach his Good News. ‘Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach.’ (2 Timothy 2:8). It is by the power, and in the love of Jesus, that we stand firm in our faith. It is the work of Jesus in me that saved me from my sins and death.

We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV): ‘Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.’ The good news is that Jesus has conquered sin and death, and he has won the victory. and nothing can stop that message from going out into the world. May we stand firm in our faith! Praise be to God’s holy name, Amen.

Local congregation:
You are welcome to attend one of our local church congregations located throughout the UK and Ireland. For details of your nearest local congregation check on our website, Grace Communion International | Grace Communion International under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church