Colossians 1:24-25
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. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness.
What was "still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions" according to Paul? It's not that the work of Christ was not complete; when Jesus was on the cross, He didn't say "I am not completely done, I need to do more," but the Lord said on the cross "it is finished." God's work of salvation has been completed in the body of Jesus Christ, and all we need to do is to believe and accept. The "lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions" actually refers to the church. Church is the body of Christ, so the afflictions that the church encounters on earth are the afflictions of Christ. Because God's will in His church has not been completed, from this perspective God is still lacking, and that's why He called us to collaborate with Him to build the body of Christ, which is the church.
Church is God's will on earth. Many have the wrong impression that being a Christian is a personal thing. Church is a lot of trouble because of all the people there. Bring the family to church on Sunday is so much trouble because of many things like bad weather, so we might as well just sit at home and enjoy a worship service on TV. God, however, did not call us to be Christians alone, for the family of God doesn't have orphans or lone children. God's will is for us to testify for Him and grow together. You might think the church has problems and imperfections here and there, but that's exactly why Paul said he would like to "fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions." If Jesus was willing to suffer for us, in the same way we should be willing to suffer for the Lord so that the body of Christ becomes a glorious body. So how do we fill up for the lacking in Christ's affliction?
First, pray for the church and become a loyal intercessor for the church, just like what Paul said in Ephesians 6:18: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
Second, love one another at the church. Most of the issues at church are caused by brothers and sisters unable to work together and forgive each other. Disharmony between people blocks the flow of the Holy Spirit, and using it the enemy attacks the church and makes it fall apart. Only if you and I begin to sincerely love one another would the breaks in the wall caused by disharmony be repaired. Are you willing to begin with yourself?
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord Jesus, I thank you because you suffered on the cross for me and accomplished salvation. I am willing to be part of your afflictions, so I ask you to open my eyes to see what's lacking in the church. Also, I ask you to give me a willing heart to fill up the areas of lacking through prayer and loving one another. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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