THE MYSTERY, THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST!!

COLOSSIANS 1:23-29

24Now I rejoice in what I am suffering 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.

25I have become its servant by the commission God gave men to present to you the word of God in its fullness 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.

27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

29To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

1: 24   Paul’s statement “I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions” may mean that suffering is unavoidable in bringing the Good News of Christ to the world. When we suffer, Christ feels our pain with us. But this suffering can be endured joyfully because it changes lives and brings people into God’s kingdom (see 1   Peter 4: 1-2, 12-19). (For more about how Paul could rejoice despite his suffering, see the note on Philippians 1: 29.)

1: 26-27   The false teachers in the Colossian church believed that spiritual perfection was a secret and hidden plan that only a few privileged people could discover. This secret plan was meant to be exclusive for an elite group. Paul said that he was proclaiming the entire message of God, not just a part of the plan. He also called God’s plan a “mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations,” not in the sense that only a few would understand it, but because it had been hidden until Christ came. Through Christ it was made open to all. God’s secret plan is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”; God planned to have his Son, Jesus Christ, live in the hearts of all who believe in him— even Gentiles like the Colossians. Do you know Christ? He is not hidden if you will come to him. Have you experienced his liberating love? Don’t keep it a secret— share it with others.

1: 28-29   Paul wanted to see each believer mature spiritually. Like Paul, we must work at our spiritual growth diligently and persistently like an athlete, but we should not strive to become mature on our own. Spiritual maturity does not come apart from God’s Spirit. We must tap into the wisdom and power of God’s Spirit working in us. Then we can learn and grow daily, motivated by love and not by fear or pride, knowing that Christ is the source who gives us the energy to become all he intends for us to be. (For more on this, see the notes on Philippians 3: 12-14.)

1: 28-29   Christ’s message is for everyone, so everywhere Paul and Timothy went, they brought the gospel to all who would listen. An effective presentation of the gospel includes admonishing (warning) and teaching. We warn people that without Christ they are headed for eternal separation from God. We teach them that they can find salvation through faith in Christ. As Christ works in you, tell others about him, warning and teaching them in love. Who in your circle of relationships needs to hear this message?Tyndale. NIV Life Application Study Bible.

ON THE WAY HOME WALK WITH JESUS and make sure you are telling all about the mystery! (THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST) because he is the only way to a life without sin being a sentence to hell.

onthewayhomeministries.org by RICHARD DEAN BROOKS