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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. |
Subject: The body, and the Head of the body |
Bible Note: Well, this does happen to be your question! :-) Did you perceive that most of the Scripture references in the Thompson's Chain Topics supported all of the examples that you have previously cited? For me, for me to "suffer for Christ", it is much different. I do not perceive losing a job or the consequences of my own sin as being included in the sufferings or afflictions of Christ. Most of all that has to do with my own stupidity and flaws as a human being. But I do know that whenever I am perceived negatively or rejected on the basis of my Christianity, then yes, I see that as a bit of what we are talking about. But I cannot and will not hold Christ responsible for my own shortcomings and for those things that I knew better than to do. Christ is not responsible for my sin, I alone am. And I must truly humble myself and say the same thing about my sin that He does. And since I have sworn complete allegiance to Christ, then I must also endure the spite of Satan and this world, which, in turn, causes Christians to be wary, even though Christians are not directed to offer spite in return for these 'sufferings.' These and other thoughts of mine help me to better define what suffering for Christ is and how that should be separated from that which I have brought upon myself, all by myself. Blessings to you, Makarios |