Be Willing To Do Your Part: Colossians 1:24-25
“24) Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. 25) Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God,” Colossians 1:24-25
Verse 23 closed by Paul stating that he was a minister of the gospel. Indeed, he spent his life both defining and defending the gospel message. (Philippians 1:7) For the pure message of the gospel he suffered much, including imprisonment in Rome.
In verses 24 and 25 he makes some shocking statements. First, he shared that he rejoiced in his suffering for the faith of others. Indeed, he paid a high price for the gospel, even to the point of eventually being beheaded in Rome. Paul counted it a joy to be considered worthy to suffer for Jesus Christ.
But second, he finished verse 24 by saying that he did his share for the body “in filling up that which was laking in Christ’s affliction.” Certainly he was not implying that Christ’s work on the cross was insufficient for the salvation of humanity. Not at all! So what was He saying?
I believe he was willing to pay the price to spread the message. The personal sacrifice and suffering endured by some to fulfill the Great Commission can be huge. Many have left family, home, country, wealth and comforts to bring the gospel to the regions beyond. Paul was on the top of that list.
In Philippians 3:7-11 Paul’s tells his story. He turned his back on everything the world had to offer because he found a surpassing value in knowing Christ Jesus as Lord. Verse 11 includes the statement of finding “the fellowship of His suffering.” I believe this is knocking at the door of what Paul was saying in Colossians 1:24. He was willing to put his life on the line and be totally spent to spread the gospel.
Finally, in verse 25 he talks about the stewardship that was entrusted to him on behalf of Jesus and His church. He understood that the faith of many hinged on his fully carrying out the preaching of the gospel.
I believe Acts 20:24 is a parallel verse to Colossians 1:25. In this verse Paul says; “24) But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”
These two verses convict, challenge and inspire me. I recognize God has entrusted a significant stewardship on my life for the sake of the gospel. I sincerely desire to fulfill that calling while fulling enjoying my walk with Jesus. Both sides of the coin are important. Paul had such a deep relationship with Jesus that any service for Jesus was a joy. What he gained in knowing Jesus made all that he lost while serving Jesus seem like rubbish. That was his testimony back in Philippians 3.
So, what about you? What call does God have on your life? I encourage you to sincerely step up and answer that call. Be willing to do your part. Step into the gifts and service God has for you.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
