Col. 1:24-2:5 Now I rejoice in what was suffered 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. [25] I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fulness— [26] the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. [27] 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.
[28] We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. [29] To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
[2:1] I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. [2] My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] I tell you this so that no-one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. [5] For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Again Paul gets over the importance of being united, of being one heart and mind, of being together, and the reason he tells us this is because it is a struggle. We can only do this if we are together is his constant refrain throughout his writing. It is important because the prize is so great – presenting as many people as possible to be seen as perfect by God. This is a struggle worth labouring for. And it is a good job that we are relying not just on our own energy, but as Paul puts, Christ’s energy working through us.
As we identify with Jesus, through our confession of his name, through our baptism and witness, through our willingness to suffer for his name, he will identify with us. We will find, as Paul frequently did, that when we do amazing works will happen because Jesus works in a situation, not us!
[28] We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. [29] To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
[2:1] I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. [2] My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [4] I tell you this so that no-one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. [5] For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Again Paul gets over the importance of being united, of being one heart and mind, of being together, and the reason he tells us this is because it is a struggle. We can only do this if we are together is his constant refrain throughout his writing. It is important because the prize is so great – presenting as many people as possible to be seen as perfect by God. This is a struggle worth labouring for. And it is a good job that we are relying not just on our own energy, but as Paul puts, Christ’s energy working through us.
As we identify with Jesus, through our confession of his name, through our baptism and witness, through our willingness to suffer for his name, he will identify with us. We will find, as Paul frequently did, that when we do amazing works will happen because Jesus works in a situation, not us!
posted by Gordon at
9:49 pm
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