Colossians 1:24-27; 1 Peter 1:24-27 – Identification
Paul speaks in v. 23 of the gospel that was being preached to the very ends of the world and of which he had been made a minister. Paul here refers to himself, or rather to his ministry and uses two words that characterize his ministry, suffering and rejoicing. It is significant that the first word of this section is ‘now’. Paul was writing during a period of imprisonment when he was actually suffering discomfort and pain, yet he was able to write that he rejoiced in suffering now.
1. Identification with Christ in Suffering – There is some difficulty about what is meant by the words ‘fill up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions’. It obviously doesn’t mean that there was anything lacking in the atoning value of the sacrifice of Christ, neither does it mean that good works or suffering can be or need to be added to the merits of Christ (Col. 2:14; Jn. 19:30; Heb. 10:11-14): The meaning is rather that:
a. The sufferings of the believer are a part of the sufferings of Christ Jn. 15:18-21
b. The enemies of Christ are never satisfied, and as they can no longer afflict Him, they persecute His people instead. Mark 10:25; Acts 9:4,5. The suffering that was being endured was for the good of the church, especially in the context of Paul’s ministry of evangelisation.
2. Identification with Christ in Service – Just as the Lord Jesus Christ was the servant of God, so was Paul in the calling he received.
3. Identification with Christ in Glory – To know ‘Christ in you’ is the only genuine ‘hope of glory’. All other expectations or all other hopes for everlasting glory are doomed to failure. It is only as man experiences, in this life, the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ within that he can have the assurance of life everlasting in the presence of God. Identification with Christ on earth is the guarantee of identification in glory.
Questions
- How can we show to others that we are identified with Christ in service?
Prayer Points
- Pray that you would be identified with Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.