In his letter to the Colossians, Paul instructs that Christ has paid for wrongdoing, that Christ has accommodated us to God, and that Christ enables us to develop spiritually. Colossians 1:1-2:23 recounts what Christ has done.
Colossians 3:1-4:18 lets us know what Christians ought to do. This letter was written to battle blunders inside the church congregation and to show that Christians have all that they need in Christ.
At the point when Paul says, “And fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh” (Colossians 1:24), he does not mean that the suffering that Christ endured was deficient to save us, nor does he truly intend that there is a foreordained measure of suffering that should be paid by all Christians.
Paul is essentially saying that suffering is undeniable in carrying the Good News of Christ to the world. It is called Christ's suffering in light of the fact that all Christians are connected with Christ.
Is Christ in Our Suffering with Us?
At the point when we suffer, Christ feels it with us. However, we can bear this suffering gladly since it changes lives and brings individuals into God's Kingdom.
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you (Philippians 2:17).
We are to focus like lights in a dim world. Regardless of whether he needed to die, Paul was content, realizing that he had assisted the Philippians with living for Christ. At the point when we are completely dedicated to serving Christ, penance for the faith of others is an honorable prize.
I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:10).
Everything is uselessly contrasted with knowing Christ. At the point when we are joined with Christ by confiding in Him, we experience the power that raised Him from the dead. That equivalent strong power assists us with carrying on with ethically reestablished and recovered lives.
Likewise, we should die to sin (“being made conformable unto His death”) prior to our ability to walk in the newness of life. Similarly, as the resurrection empowers us to live for Him, His crucifixion denotes the passing of our old, wicked nature (1 Peter 4:1-2).
Certain individuals will try their best to stay away from any pain. Notwithstanding, as believers of Christ, we ought to be willing and ready to do God's will and languish over it if essential.
Sin loses its power when we endure suffering, assuming that we center around Christ and what He requires that we should do.
At the point when our bodies are in torment, or our lives are in peril, our genuine values show up plainly, and evil joys appear to be less significant.
Assuming anybody suffers over doing what is right yet loyally complies regardless of suffering, that individual has made an unmistakable break with transgression (“ceased from sin”) (1 Peter 4:14-16).
Here, Peter infers the expressions of Jesus: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me” (Matthew 5:11). Christ will send His Spirit to give the individuals strength, who are oppressed for their faith.
In any case, this does not imply that all suffering is the consequence of good Christian behavior. At times, an individual will protest, “She is simply singling me out since I am a Christian,” when it is clear to everybody that the individual's own horrendous way of behaving is the reason for her suffering.
It might take cautious consideration or insightful guidance to figure out the genuine reason for our misery. Notwithstanding, we can be guaranteed that at whatever point we suffer as a result of our faithfulness to Christ, He will always accompany us (Hebrews 13:5).
Why Do We Suffer in this Life?
It is not dishonorable to suffer because of being a Christian. At the point when Peter and John were oppressed for preaching the gospel, they celebrated on the grounds that such mistreatment was a sign of God's endorsement of their work (Acts 5:41).
We should not search out affliction, nor would it be a promising idea for us if we attempt to stay away from it. Rather we ought to continue to make the wisest decision no matter what the suffering might bring.
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, (Philippians 1:29).
Suffering all by itself is not a privilege. Yet, when we suffer in light of the fact that we reliably present Christ to others, we realize that our message and model are making a difference and that God thinks of us as qualified to be His representatives (Acts 5:41).
Suffering has extra advantages: first off, it removes our eyes from natural easements, it gets rid of shallow Christians, it reinforces the faith of the individuals who persevere, and it fills in as an illustration to other people who might follow us.
Suffering because of our faith does not imply that we errored in some way. Truth be told, it is quite the opposite. It affirms that we have been unwavering.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20).
Have I been crucified, and if so, how have I been crucified with Him? Lawfully, God views us as though we had died with Christ. Since our wrongdoings died with Him, we are not found guilty (Colossians 2:13-15).
Socially, we have become one with Christ, and His encounters are our own. Our Christian life started when, in solidarity with Him, we died to our previous lifestyle (Romans 6:5-11).
In our everyday existence, we should consistently distance ourselves from evil longings that hold us back from following Christ. This also is a sort of dying with Him (Luke 9:23-25).
So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God (2 Timothy 1:8).
In this season of progressing affliction, Timothy might have been reluctant to keep on preaching the gospel. His feelings of dread were dependent on reality. As Paul had cautioned him, suffering would appear.
Like Paul, Timothy would be imprisoned for preaching the Gospel (Hebrews 13:23). In any case, Paul guaranteed Timothy that God would invigorate him and that he would be prepared when it was his time to endure suffering.
How Does This Apply to Us Today?
In any event, although on occasion we may not face suffering, sharing our faith in Jesus can be troublesome. Luckily for us, similar to Timothy and Paul, we can call upon the Holy Spirit to give us boldness and courage (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
We are to prepare ourselves for times of suffering. It is not a matter of if we will face it, but when. This, too, shall pass. Regardless of what we are presently dealing with throughout our everyday life, it is but a brief moment and will change for the glory of God.
For further reading:
What Does the Bible Say about Suffering?
If God Is So Good, Then Why Is There Suffering?
Why Does the Christian Life Lead to Suffering?
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