Colossians: Day 5
Verses 24-29
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. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.
Questions:
1. Paul’s suffering is the means that God uses to extend the message of the gospel. Can our personal suffering have the same result?
- Is your personal suffering driving you away from or driving you into the arms of God?
- What is the mystery that has been hidden for ages that is now disclosed? Knowing this mystery, how does this change the way we live?
Interpretation:
A mystery that has been kept hidden is not a hidden mystery anymore - this mystery is God’s plan of redemption for the world through Jesus. God Himself in the person of Christ will be directly and personally present in the lives of His people, assuring them of future life with Him when He returns - this is Hope (we have been learning about this all week). Maturity in Christ contrasts with infancy. Paul’s motivation for enduring suffering was to benefit and build. Our ministry (much like that of Paul) is stewardship from the Lord, and we must steward it well.