My "cross" - for Propogation

July 1999

My "Cross" – for Propogation

Colossians 1:23b-24

23 Whereof I Paul am made a minister;

24 Who now REJOICE IN MY SUFFERINGS for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church..

Lord, can my sufferings have meaning and purpose? Yes! What does it mean to "fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ"? Let me hear what Dr. Piper says in his book, Let the Nations Be Glad, p. 94-95:

"(Paul's) sufferings were the means God was using to bring salvation to the Corinthian church. They could see the suffering love of Christ in Paul. He was actually sharing in Christ's sufferings and making them real for the church.

This is part of what Paul meant in that amazing statement in Col. 1:24, "I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, that is, the church."

Christ's afflictions are not lacking in their atoning sufficiency. They are lacking in that they are not KNOWN and FELT by people who were not at the cross. Paul dedicates himself not only to carry the message of those suffering to the nations, but also to suffer with
Christ and for Christ in such a way that what people see are "Christ's sufferings". In this way he follows the patten of Christ by laying down his life for the life of the church…

(J. Oswald Sanders) told the story of an indigenous missionary who walked barefoot from village to village preaching the gospel in India. After a long day of many miles and much discouragement he came to a certain village and tried to speak the gospel but was spurned.
So he went to the edge of the village dejected and lay down under a tree and slept from exhaustion.

When he awoke the whole town was gathered to hear him. The head man of the village explained that they came to look him over while he was sleeping. When they saw his blistered feet they concluded that he must be a holy man, and that they had been evil to reject him. They were sorry and wanted to hear the message that he was willing to suffer so much to bring them." (emphasis mine)

Piper also says,

God intends for the afflictions of Christ to be PRESENTED to the world through the afflictions of His people…(and the losing of their lives.)…(It is a ) painful road, but not a joyless road!

Yes, Paul says he REJOICES in his sufferings! But what does this have to do with me, Lord? I didn't ask for this illness, and I didn't exactly receive this illness directly because of my going forth with the gospel. So how can I say I am suffering for Christ? How can I bring Christ's sufferings to others?

Most of my sufferings are invisible anyway – i.e. headaches, body aches, fatigue, stomach aches, hunger, thirst, palpitations, dizziness, brain fog, etc. How can others see Christ's sufferings through me and know that I am rejoicing in Your strength?

Well, Ive done enough complaining the last ten years, especially here at home. Forgive me, Lord… Surely by now they have an idea of how badly I feel every day. Now it is time to be quiet. Give me grace, dear Lord, to keep on smiling….J

Lord, I've always disliked the question, "How are you?" because I don't want to complain, but I don't want to lie and say "I'm fine" either. Thank-You for giving me an honest answer to the question. May I now remember to say:

"My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." (Ps. 73:26)…

"…though (my) outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (II Cor. 4:16)…

or…"Praise the Lord! I'm still alive!"

Give me grace, O Lord, to be a bright and shining light by REJOICING through my sufferings – even if nobody knows or cares how badly I feel except You! Help me to remember today what Joseph Thon said,

"Christ's cross was for propitiation. My cross is for PROPOGATION!"

Hallelujah! In Jesus' name. Amen!

* Quotes by Piper - used with permission