Called For The Benefit Of The Body

 

 

Colossians 1:24-26 (NKJV)

24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,

25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,

26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.

 

Paul said he was enduring all of this in his flesh (in reality) "for the Church's sake" (v.24). He was rejoicing in the things he was undergoing for the sake of the Body of Christ. The words "in my sufferings" literally mean: In the midst of all of the trials and tribulations, and while Satan is bringing all of this persecution against me, I am rejoicing for you and for the Body of Christ. I rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer shame and persecution for the Word's sake. Again, in verse 25, Paul repeated those words "...whereof I am made a minister." When God calls a man and places His anointing on that man, He does not call him for the sake of the man. God calls people for His purposes and for the sake of the body of believers. God did not call us to preach to ourselves. He called us to positively edify the Body of Christ. Let us be a blessing to the Body of Christ and be a part of the nourishing that we all need.