My Chains are Gone

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and 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 bonds were unfastened. – Acts 16:25-26

During our church family worship time this past Sunday, we sang the words, “All the chains are broken, I have been set free” (from “On My Lips” by Darren Morehouse and Ross Parsley).  As those words came out of my mouth, I was struck by the magnitude of that seemingly simple statement.  Think about that phrase by placing emphasis on the various words.  

“All my chains are broken.”  Not some, but all.  

“All my chains are broken.  I have been set free.”  God’s forgiveness and grace extends not only to others who may appear more deserving, but to me.  

“All the chains are broken, I have been set free.”  I don’t have to wait for some future unknown miracle to occur.  My chains ARE broken - here and now.  I AM free.  Jesus’ cry on the cross was, “It is finished.”  The work is done.  I need only leave the chains behind me and walk out that freedom.  

“All my chains are broken.”  Satan has no hold on me.  I am in the hands of the Almighty Creator of the universe.   

“I have been set free.”  I am free.  I don’t have to give in to sin.  I don’t have to be led astray by Satan.  I am not in bondage to the old sinful nature.  I am free. 

The enemy is defeated.  He knows it.  We can know it, too.  Let’s not let ourselves be fooled by his lies and deceit.  All our chains are broken and we have been set free. 

Amazing grace, our chains are gone!