Devotional: Colossians 1:24-29

Reflection

• (Col 1:24 ESV) Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
• (Col 1:25 ESV) of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
• (Col 1:26 ESV) the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
• (Col 1:27 ESV) To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
• (Col 1:28 ESV) Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
• (Col 1:29 ESV) For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Discussion

I never really want to hurt nor do I look for opportunities to suffer, but there are times when we all encounter suffering, pain, or struggle.  Maybe it is physical, maybe mental, maybe even spiritual.  Paul experienced all of those as well and writes here that he rejoiced in his times of suffering.

 

I can’t imagine that Paul sought out opportunities to suffer more, but that he realized in the hard times of life that he was still completely satisfied in Christ.  He writes otherwise that he considered all else a loss compared to the greatness of Christ.   For Paul, the things he experienced from a world opposed to his Lord were not the focus.  Instead, Paul’s focus was always on the things above, those heavenly things that he worked hard toward leaning not on his own power, but the power of Christ inside him.

Connection

How does knowing that you are forever saved in the hand of God help to see the struggles of life in a different perspective?

 

What roles does forgiveness play in overcoming struggles in life?

 

How does the realization of our sinfulness lead to gratification for God’s grace on us?

 

Are you compelled to share the Word of God? Compelled to the point that you will suffer?

Expansion

Salvation and Preservation

God saves people by their faith in Him alone according to His grace alone through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ alone, not on the basis of any human work.  All of the redeemed are immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit and justified before God beginning the transforming sanctification of the whole person the fruit of which is shown by their attitude and conduct.  Having been saved by faith, we are justified in Christ before God, forgiven of our sins, and held eternally secure by Christ alone forever where we will one day assume a glorified condition with Him forever.  From beginning to end the salvation of people is entirely a work of God to bring glory to His name.

Acts 8:27-30, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, John 1:12-13, Romans 6:16-18, Romans 9:10-24, John 6:43-45, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, Ezra 18:23, Romans 10:10-21, 2 Peter 3:9, John 12:32, Romans 14:10-12