Chained to freedom!

Chained to freedom! Huh? How is that possible? Look at Paul and Silas . . . .

Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.  Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.  And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:22-30)

Prison chains did not hold back Paul and Silas from sharing Christ in songs and praying. The very crime they were jailed for is what they continued to do in the cell! The prisoners heard and an earthquake shook the chains loose off of all the prisoners. Yet no one left! The guard was so shocked that he wanted to hear from Paul and even brought him into to his home, asking for more and eventually was saved!

What would happen if you and I were so bound to Christ, so chained to the freedom to share Him in our everyday lives, singing and praying despite restriction? How many would ask, "What must I do to know this Jesus?"

What holds us back? By what or to whom are we chained?