Bible Question:
Col 1:24 What exactly is Paul saying here? Is he solely speaking of his afflictions for spreading the Gospel, or in a more global sense, which he would be saying that without us choosing to follow Christ, His power is unable to save us? I realize that he specifically speaks to spreading the Gospel and that Paul is experiencing the added sufferings to carry this message to the world. I am just wondering if the other point might be made here also? Thanx |
Bible Answer: Since there is nothing lacking in Christ's redemptive suffering on the cross, the only thing lacking that Paul could be referring to is our entering into and sharing in that suffering as members of the body of Christ. "The Spirit itself bears witness that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.Romans 8:16-17. Jesus clearly laid out the conditions of discipleship when he said that we must daily take up our cross and follow him. Matt:18:24, Mark:8:34 and 10:21, Luke9:23. |