As we read Acts Chapter 16 and in particular the account of the Philippian Jailer in verses 25-40, we can’t help but marvel at the impact of Christianity on the attitude and actions of believers. Despite being beaten by their oppressors, imprisoned in the inner prison and having their feet secured to further restrict their movement, they were singing and praising God. They were worshiping so loudly that the other prisoners were hearing them. Shouldn’t they be weeping, hating and hoping for the hurt of their captors?

Interestingly, they were ready to do the opposite. Fortunately for them an earthquake shook the prison, in fact so hard it was, that the doors were opened and their restraints became loose- their opportunity came to escape and possibly hurt their enemies. They chose to stay put – in the inner prison.

From their position in the inner prison they could see the keeper of the prison, a free man,  in his frustration preparing to kill himself. This man, who would have known about their accusations and beatings and possibly would have agreed with the cruel acts against them, is now ready to kill himself. They would have none of that! Instead they cried out and prevented him from doing so. They choose to save this man from committing suicide- while being his prisoner, in the inner prison.

What kind of a person behaves this way? What causes a person to be willing to be in a mood to worship even in the most desperate of situations? How does a person develop a love for their enemies and seek their betterment even while the very act of oppression is in progress? What is it that can transform the mind in such a fashion? What brought such freedom and peace to them? To what were they really imprisoned?

They had become the prisoner of Christ (Ephesians 3:1) and their minds were transformed (Romans 12:2). They were exposed to the truth of Jesus Christ and had become free indeed (John 8:36). They were prepared to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44) and pray for those who despitefully used them (Luke 6:28). They were prepared to share the gospel of Christ even in those situations and be true ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Surely when Christ has set you free, you are free indeed! Do WE want this freedom?