COLOSSIANS 1:24

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am supplementing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of His body, which is the church.”

No one likes to suffer. Am I right? I have been watching a tv series about Christian martyrs. None of them wanted to suffer. The key was they were willing to suffer. I go to suffering kicking and screaming. I feel I have done enough suffering. (Can I get an “Amen”?) But in comparison to the suffering of Christ, I have not scratched the surface.

That’s the point of Paul’s words in today’s verse. At first glance it may appear that Paul is saying Christ was lacking in His afflictions. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers gives a good response to this thought. “St. Paul expressly says (in the full force of the original) that ‘he fills up instead’ of his Master, what is still left unfinished of his Master’s afflictions. He declares, i.e., that, succeeding to the suffering of Christ, he carries it out for the sake of His body the Church. This is, indeed, nothing but a clearer and more striking expression of the truth conveyed in 2 Corinthians 1:5, ‘The sufferings of Christ overflow to us,’ so that we bear our part, in addition to the full measure which He bore; and even in the commoner expression, to be ‘partaker of Christ’s sufferings’ (Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13), or ‘to drink of His cup and be baptised with His baptism’ (Matthew 20:22-23).”

APPLICATION

That was a long quote, I know. But I think Ellicott explained it well. Paul was not saying Christ fell short in His suffering. He was saying that now he (Paul) was taking up the suffering of Christ himself. The verses Ellicott shared (2 Corinthians 1:5; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13; Matthew 20:22-23) all speak to that. We, as followers of Christ, can expect suffering. In fact, suffering is called a gift. When you give a gift to someone, don’t you look forward to the expression of the recipient? God does the same. He is waiting to see how we respond to His gift.

Hold it just a minute, Carl. Are you saying God wants us to suffer? I didn’t say that. I said when God gifts us suffering, He watches for our response. Anything God allows in our life should bring us closer to Him. I can’t begin to explain all the tragedies that occur to believers. I am sure there were some believers among those who were killed in the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans. But I do know we can trust the God who allows the suffering.

Perhaps you are going through a period of suffering right now. Take a minute (if you haven’t already done this) and ask the Father a couple of questions. 1) What do You want to teach me in this suffering? 2) How can I use this suffering to testify about You to others? God always has a plan for everything. Be like Paul and continue the sufferings of Christ in your life.

O Lord, I don’t want suffering in my life, but if You allow it, I will receive it.