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NASB | Colossians 1:24 ¶ Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Colossians 1:24 ¶ Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf. And with my own body I supplement whatever is lacking [on our part] of Christ's afflictions, on behalf of His body, which is the church. |
Bible Question:
Thank you, Makarios, for your further thoughts. So, one could not legitimately suffer "for Christ's sake" the following ills: 1) A serious illness 2) Death of a family member 3) Natural disaster Since all of these cannot be suffered in holiness, must we then rant and rail against them? --Cheryl |
Bible Answer: A serious illness, the death of a family member, and natural disaster are all perils that we face as a result of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. To rant and rail against them is of no good consequence. If you are saved under grace then you are a member of the Kingdom of God. You are dead to the things of this world (of whom the prince of this world has power) therefore the prince of this world no longer has power over you. The only reason the prince of this world (satan) no longer has power over you is because your hope is in the New Kingdom you are now a part of. Whether we live or die, whether in sickness or in health, whether we suffer a natural catastrophe our hope lies beyond these things and have eternal consequences. If we rant and rail against these things how does this glorify God? God alone gives us peace through these ordeals. He gives us strength. And when the non believers see the peace and strength provided by God in us -- they desire it -- and you are therefore a testimony unto them. but if you rant and rail against it -- what better are we than they? We demonstrate there is no hope just as they feel hopeless. The answer is to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Can you feel sorrow, ofcourse. Can you feel pain, naturally. But God alone gives the peace that passes all understanding. And here is the key to that peace. We know what our end shall be -- eternal life with Christ our King. |