The Church
Paul’s exhortation to the people in the region of Colossae resonates throughout the ages, and even now. In verse 24, he rejoices in his sufferings for their sake and says he’s filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of Christ’s body, the church, to which he is a minister according to the stewardship God gave him to make the word of God fully known. It is the hidden mystery for ages and generations but then was revealed to his saints. And to them, God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery. And the mystery is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.
Proclaim it
So, having received Christ, and knowing the truth of the mystery, what are we to do with it? Sit on it, or pass it on, like a transfer agent? Paul gives the answer. “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” And I might quickly add, within you! You have the same power, the Holy Spirit, that energized and empowered Paul.
I trust you have received the hope of glory, Christ in you. What Paul is saying to you is what Jesus said in Matthew and Acts. Go and make disciples in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth. The great promise from Jesus is…I will be with you even to the end of the age. The only way you can fail is not to volunteer to be his transfer agent of the gospel. Go wherever he leads…don’t miss out on his joy!!