"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." -- Colossians 1:28-29 (ESV)
Verse 29 caught my attention this week. The antecedent of "this" is "warning everyone and teaching everyone." The purpose behind warning and teaching them is solely "that we may present everyone mature in Christ."
In the verses before, Paul explains the ministry he has been given: "to make the word of God fully known." This mystery was previously hidden from them, but was then newly revealed to God's saints.
Since Paul's ministry generations of Gentiles have come and gone. Some have heard the word of Truth and came to understand the "riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." We have a responsibility now to proclaim Him, "warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom."
"For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me." That thought changes everything. We sell ourselves short in His service by expecting ourselves alone to carry the load in His service. He's never asked us to do that. Paul says, "I toil." How did he toil? "Struggling with all His energy." Christ is omnipotent; He has unlimited energy. The source is adequate. Paul then says, "that He powerfully works within me." It has already happened, or rather, is happening.
We have everything that pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), but here we sit. I often find myself explaining to my conscience and the Spirit why I fail. It too often includes to many, "but I'm not.." or "If only I had..." Both of these stand in denial of "His energy that powerfully works within" us.
We have what we need.
Posted by TheIdeaMan at May 27, 2003 09:47 PM | TrackBack