Colossians 1:24-29
The word servant seems to show up a few times in this letter. Paul, in the previous section, has called himself a servant of the gospel and in this passage he calls himself the servant of the Church. This indicates Paul's deep humility - the purpose of Christ takes precendent over his own purpose and he will put aside his own agenda in order to make sure that the message of Jesus is given to whoever needs it whenever they need it and to make sure that the Church is operating how Christ intended it to operate.
There is so much in this short passage that could be unpacked and some of those things are very difficult statements (for example, v. 24 seems to indicate that Christ's suffering somehow was lacking and needed Paul's suffering to make it complete but what Paul is actually saying is that Christ's suffering was enough for our redemption and fully satisfied the justice of God but Paul had to suffer in order to take that message to the Gentiles. So, in order for the work of Christ to be complete in the Gentile's life, Paul had to suffer as well). However, the main point of the passage is the mystery that Paul reveals: Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Paul continues that thought when he says that he labours with all his (Christ's) energy which so powerfully works in Paul. The hope that Paul has to see everyone perfected in Christ is Christ at work in him and Christ at work in them. So Paul can labour with confidence knowing that the results do not depend on him but on Christ.
Sometimes I take too much responsibility for the work that Christ has given to me. I don't mean that I should be lazy or work less but that I should labour with all Christ's energy, remembering that my hope for my own sanctification is Christ in me and my hope for the continued growth and maturity of my students is Christ in them. Paul was so clear in his purpose and calling and I feel like mine has become a bit distracted or broad. I need Christ to refine my focus and to remind me that it is not by my strength or power but by the Spirit of God and Christ that the work and will of God will be done.
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4 comments:
I agree man, too many times I have lost sleep over things to do with youth ministry. Too many times have I been over busy and allowed myself to get stressed out. This is not what God intended, we need him to do his work in us, and if he wants to use us to do the work in other people great. We need to be available to God and like you said be clear in our purpose. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I need to rely on God's energy and let him do the work and stop trying to do everything myself. Good reminder.
I think what should keep us awake at night is not stress but excitement about what God is going to do next...
I do have excitement of what God is going to do next, but often I can let that get overshadowed by the burden it will be to accomplish that, again not relying on God to do the work, but thinking that I need to get it done. It needs to be his timing, and his work through me, not the other way around, a hard lesson I am still learning. The great thing is that God works in me even still, despite my selfish efforts, what an awesome God we serve.
I do have excitement of what God is going to do next, but often I can let that get overshadowed by the burden it will be to accomplish that, again not relying on God to do the work, but thinking that I need to get it done. It needs to be his timing, and his work through me, not the other way around, a hard lesson I am still learning. The great thing is that God works in me even still, despite my selfish efforts, what an awesome God we serve.
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