Plainly Speaking
 with Karl J. Forehand

 

 

Sacrificing for Others

(Colossians 1:24-2:3)

by Karl J. Forehand

 

  How about a little civics lesson?  This is what the Declaration of Independence says about rights.   Again, this is not the Bible; but simply what the forefathers of the United States believed about rights.

 

►We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights…

 

  But are we really born with those rights?  We are only born with the rights that someone else provided for us.  Well, then who provides them?

 

►That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed

 

  But, what if something goes wrong?

 

►That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.  And to institute new goverment…

 

  Can we do that for just anything?

 

►Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

 

►But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such a government, and to provide new guards for their future security.

 

  The Declaration of Independence is all about a list or grievances against Great Britain.  The United State sacrificed thousands in that time to guarantee freedom for millions that would follow.  It is an indication of our selfishness when we are not willing to sacrifice for others that are so crushed by oppression that they can’t ‘free’ themselves.    As I said, that may or may not have anything to do with Scripture – just something to think about. 

 

  For Christians, Jesus is our supreme sacrifice.  He suffered, bled and died for us.  Paul’s ministry was marked with suffering.  We have to be willing to sacrifice for others.  As Paul describes his ministry, in this passage, he details the sacrifice required.

 

1.  Suffering for the Body

 

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions.  (Colossians 1:24).

 

  Paul stresses that he is willing to rejoice in “that which befell him” (panthema) on behalf of the body of Christ.  Not because he enjoyed it.  Not because he was some kind of masochist.  He rejoiced because he was part of the fellowship (Phil. 3:10).  He rejoiced that he was counted worthy to suffer for what is right.  He rejoiced because of who He was suffering for (ultimately for Christ). 

 

  Notice he tells the Colossians that he is suffering, “for your sake.”  Most of us don’t like to struggle or suffer at all.  We will occasionally suffer for ourselves, if we see there is a possible return on our investment (short-term sacrifice for long-term gain).  But, we rarely desire to suffer or sacrifice for someone else. 

 

  Paul’s attitude was “I do my share.”  He figured he could suffer in his body for THE body.  And, if we all do our “part” then there is nothing lacking in big picture of the inevitable suffering the body naturally goes through.  We share in the thilipsis (tribulation) realizing we all get our share whether we seek it or not.  Why not rejoice that you get to participate in such a noble calling?

 

2.  Speaking to Outsiders

 

Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.  And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.   (Colossians 1:25-29)

 

  Remember, that preaching is to “proclaim.”  It’s not just for preachers any more.  Speaking to those outside the body is often a way we sacrifice.  What do we sacrifice?  Sometimes our reputation – often our own comfort – usually just our time and effort – we are servants (ministers) to this end.  In a way, we are all preachers.

 

  His Ministry.  It is by God’s plan (oikonomia) that we speak the Word of God.  We must ALL speak the Word of God; but what we speak must be “fully” what God says.  It must be accrording to His direction and His plan

 

  His Message.  The mystery is that the Gospel was not made available to all.  This is the same message we receive and share with others.  The message is, very simply, “You are no longer excluded.”  Christ now can be “in you” and that reality is the “hope of glory.”  As we proclaim him, what does that do for others?

-         It “admonishes” (warns) every man

-         It “teaches” every man

-         It “presents” every man complete in Christ

  These are ends to the Gospel message, but it must be proclaimed (preached). 

 

  His Might.  How did Paul labor?  He labored according to God’s power.  In other words, His power was equal to what God did through him (or in Him).  We must pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on us (as He mightily works through us). 

 

3.  Striving for the Struggling

 

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,  that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself,  (Col. 2:1-2)

 

  Think about it:  Colosse was a church that has been infested with heresy and Laodicea was a church Jesus described as “lukewarm.”  Yet Paul labors “to the point of exhaustion” for them.  Not because they embarrassed him, but because he hurt for them.  He never spent physical time with them, so this must be about his prayer life.  He had compassion for them.

 

  What was his motivation for doing this?  So they would be:

-         Encouraged in heart

-         knit together in live

-         fully rich in their understanding

 

  You will have to decide for yourself how you feel about the current war and the United State role.  But one thing that is constant:  Sacrifice is a necessary part of our existence as believers. 

 

© 2003   Karl J. Forehand

 

 

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