Goof Morning Friends,
Investing in the new generation to complete God’s work is what Paul was charged with and we are too. Tragedies like the devastation in the Bahamas from hurricane Dorian presents an opportunity in this regard. But sometimes the religious community comes up with the wrong approach. You see, there is a difference between church growth and church health. There is a difference in giving people our junk and benefiting them for a holy purpose through a relationship that helps them. And the distinction comes to roost in the church when we make allowances for sin and false teaching…when we do things for ourselves and not with Christ. We read Paul’s letter to the Colossians and wonder what could possibly be needed to complete the work of Christ. Our suffering does not add to the salvation of others, so what is the true meaning of this hard wording in today’s passage from Colossians. The thing is Christ offers himself to others today though us. What Christ has begun we have the honor and responsibility to complete as ambassadors. Applying this we must deny ourselves. Be real. Friends, God is not the problem. We are. The church is not designed to serve us. Even the son of man did not come to be served but to serve, So, consider it not a burden but a privilege to serve even as we ask…. How Do We Complete What Is Lacking?
Scripture: On another sabbath he entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees watched him to see whether he would cure on the sabbath, so that they might find an accusation against him. Even though he knew what they were thinking, he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Come and stand here.” He got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the sabbath, to save life or to destroy it?” After looking around at all of them, he said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was restored. But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Luke 6:6-11 (NRSV)
I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church. I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me. For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me face to face. I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 1:24-2:3 (NRSV)
Message: We are to tell others about Christ. That is our responsibility. We are to live out our faith to get closure on what is missing in the lives of others as well as our own. Like Paul we have been entrusted as ambassadors for Christ and like the situation with the Colossians more than one person with a mission is needed to carry out the work. Paul never went to them in person…Ambassadors guided by the Spirit and not false teachers are needed. The issue in today’s scripture has not changed much over the centuries. Perhaps the misguided abuses of religious leaders have been reduced…perhaps we have made little real progress…perhaps we are on the verge of a breakthrough. I do not know. The point Paul makes clear is that people of faith need help in carrying out Christ’s mission. So as Christians we must be ready and willing to practice practical evangelism. The body and the spirit are inseparable and moreover the body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. Shame on leaders who mislead for they are not fit to lead.
And So, we live in a society is that is becoming increasingly intolerant of Christianity and even religious people can get confused as did the Pharisees in today’s Gospel text. What is clear is that we must be led by the Spirit with wisdom to complete the work Christ starts in us. Indeed, Christ completed the work for us, but the Holy Spirit engages us to fill the hole in the Gospel as it applies to our time and circumstances. Some think that God is removing His Spirit from the earth and perhaps this is true. Instances where God’s grace has been removed from people’s lives is evidence of the hell on earth we have when this happens. And so, even as we pray for Christ’s return, we also pray that God’s Spirit might be renewed in us all and shared for a holy purpose so others might believe and be restored in the gift of joy and love.
Pray we focus on Christ. Pray we realize that God is not just with us but in us. Pray we realize that there is a ministry waiting for each of us that has our name on it and Christ in it to activate the work of the Holy Spirit. Pray we are willing to serve. Pray God speak to us as to how we are to serve. Pray we rejoice in all things. Pray we keep the Word of God central to our living. Pray we actively work at making disciples. Pray we rely on the Holy Spirit’s power not our own. Pray we are dedicated to striving for joy with sacrifice. Pray we are dedicated to striving for joy through service. Pray we find the joy of the Sabbath but also the purpose of the storms in gathering us together in rebuilding places of worship in our hearts and homes. Pray we realize the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ but also our role in helping to restore that which has been lost. Pray we have the hope and comfort of being committed together for a cause. Pray we come in agreement as to what God is prompting in our hearts so that the abundance of God might be shared.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 