Can you think of a time when you went through pain physically or mentally but you knew it would be worth it in the end? (Pastor Eddie recalls his time when he did "suicides" in basketball.) It was painful and I expected to be in shape and to become a better basketball player. Would you willing go through some pain for someone else for their gain? Maybe this message can motivate you to say "My pain, your gain."
Paul is thanking God in this passage because the Colossian church is mostly a healthy church despite some false teaching surrounding it. See verse 24. "I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake..." Paul is not saying something was lacking in salvation due to Jesus's death. Jesus reconciled us on the cross ("It is finished").
Then what is he saying? What is lacking in Christ's afflictions is that Jesus is no longer there physically. All of the suffering Paul is going through is a visual representation of Christ's suffering. See verse 25. Paul's goal was to make the gospel known to everyone. It was his mission in life. He also wanted them to be mature in God. This is why Paul suffered so much. He was beaten, mocked, whipped, shipwrecked, and sick. Why? So others would know more about Christ.
Jesus bled and suffered so we could have the gospel. We're worshipping in Korea because someone sacrificed to bring the gospel here. My father consistently prayed at 5:00am to pray for my family and because of him, I became a pastor. Can you remember the last time you suffered for someone else?
The point is not to seek out suffering. No one likes that and we aren't made for that. We don't have to look for it. Suffering will happen on its own. See John 16:33 and 1 Peter 4:12-13. Don't be surprised when you suffer as a Christian. If you are surprised, you are following the prosperity gospel. The world hates God, so Christians will suffer.
We need to embrace suffering. What does that mean? It means we need to "rejoice in suffering". It means to say that honestly "It hurts but your will be done, Lord." You're thankful because you realize God is doing something in the long term. Maybe it's drawing you closer to God to help others go through the same problem.
What causes people to say "My pain, your gain"? See verses 26-27. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." The mystery of Jesus dwells in every single believer despite lack of holiness because Jesus is that High Priest who sacrificed his life to atone for our wicked sin. He renews us and sanctifies us until He returns. This is why we can rejoice in our sufferings. If this wasn't true, then it would be pointless to rejoice in our sufferings. All of the suffering in the world does not compare to the glory that awaits us (Romans 8:18).
See verse 29. With all of Christ's energy, not Paul's energy, it was Paul's pain for others' gain.
Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)
Instagram: l.a.seoulguy
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