Except These Chains

There was a very famous encounter between the apostle Paul and Govenor Porcius Festus where the governor retorts, "Do you think, in such a short time, you can convince me to become a Christian?"  To which, Paul replied, “Short time or long---I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” (Acts 26:29).

Paul wanted everyone to have the life he had been given - not the struggles and hardships his apostleshio caused him but the victorious life he had in Christ, which allowed him to face the chains of prison and even a date with the executioner. 

Paul knew suffering - he had been flogged, imprisoned, stoned, etc. (2 Cor 11:23f).  And those things, he wouldn't wish on anyone. But he also knew the Savior, a relationship that he wanted everyone to experience - a relationship that would give them the victory over everything life might throw at them. 

Paul didn't want to share his chains, he knew that everyone had chains of their own. But he did want to share his Christ - the Christ that would free them from their chains.

What about you?  Do you have a relationship with Jesus you can't wait to share with others, or may I introduce you to the One who loves you enough to die for you - the One who came "that you may  heave life and have it to the full" (John 10:10)?

Jus' Askn.