Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church[.] Colossians 1:24
Today, I pause both on my study of 1 Corinthians and on my study of 2 Thessalonians that is week 2 of my men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church. Today, my focus is the Solid Joys daily devotional on DesiringGod.com which is entitled "Christ's Suffering in Us." Here, John Piper starts by looking at Christ's sacrifice on the cross, which is of course a perfect sacrifice as Christ led a sinless life. Piper shares that "[i]t pays in full for all the sins of all his people." He then shares that this sacrifice "is lacking in nothing - except one thing, a personal presentation by Christ himself to the nations of the world." This "personal presentation" is to be done by God's people through the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). Piper then connects this "personal presentation" to the highlighted text for today - Colossians 1:24. Paul is "filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions." The devotion calls out Paul's statement as "amazing": "[h]e says that it is his own sufferings that fill up Christ’s afflictions. This means, then, that Paul exhibits the sufferings of Christ by suffering himself for those he is trying to win to Christ. In his sufferings they are to see Christ’s sufferings." Piper concludes the devotion with the application for God's believers: "God intends for the afflictions of Christ to be presented to the world through the afflictions of his people." Of course "intentional" afflictions are a hard pill to swallow for many but not so much for believers that see God's providence in all matters, including the details, and how God is working in all these details for good (Romans 8:28).
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion. You died on the cross giving me the greatest gift the world will ever know - of all time - my salvation. I am not deserving of such a gift. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
