Workers of the Church with a Mission (2)
[Colossians 1:24-29]
Today, looking at Colossians 1:24, the Apostle Paul spoke to the faithful saints of the Colossian church, saying, "Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church." In contemporary language, the Apostle Paul not only rejoiced in the suffering he endured for the faithful saints of the Colossian church but also expressed that he was filling up in his own body what was lacking in the afflictions Christ suffered for his church. How could the Apostle Paul rejoice in the suffering he endured for the Colossian church? If we were to undergo suffering for the Lord's church, it might not be easy, and it would certainly be challenging. How can we, like the Apostle Paul, find joy in such suffering? I believe there are at least three keys:
- The first key is that the Apostle Paul considered suffering for Jesus Christ as "grace."
This is evident in Philippians 1:29, which says, "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him."
- The second key is that the Apostle Paul understood that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character brings hope.
This is reflected in Romans 5:3-4 (Modern Korean Bible): "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
- The third key is that the Apostle Paul rejoiced because, even in his suffering for the Lord and the Lord's church, the gospel of Jesus Christ was being proclaimed.
Philippians 1:12-18 says, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.”
The Apostle Paul, in Colossians 1:24, mentioned that he was filling up in his own body what was lacking in the afflictions Christ suffered for his body, which is the church. What does this statement mean? It does not imply that the sufferings Christ endured for our church's salvation are insufficient or lacking in any way. The sufferings Christ experienced for our salvation are fully sufficient. Instead, the meaning is that, just as Christ, as the bridegroom, suffered while on earth for the sake of the church, we, as the bride, are called to participate in Christ's sufferings. Paul expressed a similar sentiment when writing to the Philippians, stating that he desires to "know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" (Phil. 3:10). Paul also commended the Philippians for sharing in his sufferings, saying, "You did well to share in my troubles" (4:14). Moreover, Paul encouraged the Corinthians to participate in Christ's sufferings. In 2 Corinthians 1:7, he said, "And our hope for you is firm because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort." This indicates that not only Paul but also other apostles, like John, shared in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of the church. In Colossians 1:24 (Modern Korean Bible), Paul specifically tells the faithful saints of the Colossian church that he rejoices in the sufferings he endures for them and fills up in his body what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of Christ's body, the church. In reality, Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 to the saints of the Corinthian church that he had experienced the remaining afflictions meant for Christ's body, the church, in the following manner: “Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” As I reflect on these words, it strikes me that even when the Apostle Paul was writing this letter to the saints of the Corinthian church, he carried a deep concern in his heart for the church, a burden that weighed heavily on him (v. 28). Because of his love for the Lord and his love for the church that the Lord loves, Paul's heart was burdened daily with concern for the well-being of the church. Therefore, when he saw any among the saints growing weak, he felt a corresponding heaviness in his own heart, and when anyone stumbled into sin, he experienced a deep sense of pain in his own soul (verse 29, Modern Bible). Do we not also share in such heartache?
We, like the Apostle Paul, should rejoice in the sufferings we endure for the Lord's church. The reason is that our suffering for Christ is a grace (Phil. 1:29). Just as we have received the gift of God's abundant grace to believe in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8), we must recognize that enduring suffering for our believed Savior is fitting and, furthermore, an act of grace. Additionally, in the midst of suffering, we should rejoice, knowing that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance builds character, and character brings hope (Rom. 5:3-4). By understanding this, we, like Paul, can find joy in the sufferings endured for the Lord's church. Therefore, I pray that we, like Paul and others, may willingly endure suffering for the sake of Jesus Christ and the gospel (Mk. 8:35; 10:29).
"As it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him'" (1 Cor. 2:9).