Text: Colossians 1:24-29 (NKJV)
24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
Devotional Thoughts and Commentary:
Remembering that the author of this letter is the Apostle Paul, we see a very personal revelation of his heart and of God's revelation for us about His Son.
When Paul spoke of suffering for Jesus, He meant it. Today, we talk about sitting through a hot outdoor service or getting up early for church as suffering for Christ; however, these pale when we first consider how Christ suffered for us (Hebrews 12:1-3) and how the Apostle Paul suffered for Christ. A look through the book of Acts reveals to us many of the things he endured. From trials and imprisonment to being executed by stoning to the brink of death only to miraculously survive, Paul pretty much saw it all when it came to suffering for Christ. Eventually, he was even martyred (killed for what he believed in). Specifically here, he said that he had suffered for the Colossian church, he was communicating how he suffered at the hands of those he tried to share the good news with and the Jews who tried to stop him. Furthermore, Paul used a very unique way of describing his suffering for Christ here. He is literally saying (when examined in the original Greek for further insight) that it was his turn to suffer, and not only that, but to take the leftovers of suffering behind Christ to suffer for the church. Paul's suffering does nothing for salvation in a spiritual sense, but he did serve as a figurehead for the church and a focal point for its early persecution. So, when he said that he "rejoiced" in his suffering, it is a lot to say.
For roughly 4000 years of human history, Jesus Christ was not clearly seen to mankind. That all changed in roughly 4 B.C. when Jesus came to Earth in human form. This is the mystery referenced in verses 26 and 27. Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, died for the sins of every person so that each person can have eternal life in Heaven. This, as the rest of the verses in this chapter reveal, is the purpose of preaching about Jesus. It is an act of obedience that brings glory to God by introducing people to the truth of an eternally saving relationship with Him.
(Note: Verses 25 and following in this passage are key supporting verses to Dispensational theology, as opposed to Covenant theology. These are broad theological systems that, while crucial to one's overall theology, few people have thought about let alone heard of. I may expound on this at some point, but you are free to ask me any questions via comment or email, if you would like.)
Application(s):
Thank God for your ability to serve and suffer for Him. This may seem a little cruel to hear, but we are called to work and suffer for our few years on Earth (the book of James describes life like water vapor coming out of a teapot being short-term). After those, say, seventy, years, we are rewarded with eternal rest in Heaven alongside our God. The suffering is a result of humanity's sin, so we cannot blame God for it.
If you have not put your whole dependence on Jesus Christ to save you for eternity, now is the time.
Proclaim the truth of Jesus's available salvation to people every chance you get!
Other Studies from Colossians
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