FILLING UP THE AFFLICTIONS
Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; 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:
When the Lord first began to deal with the Apostle Paul, (then known as Saul of Tarsus), He made it clear that which would be the type of ministry he would be given. For He did not say, “How great things he must PREACH for me; but how great things he must SUFFER for me.” He sent Ananias to anoint Saul with these words: “Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:15,16)
By this the apostle realized that his ministry was to be a pattern for all believers. And this he also passed on to his spiritual son Timothy, who was also a minister. 1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
For all believers must “go home by way of the cross.” Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
And we learn from the Hebrew writer that this is that to which believers must look for an encouraging example from their own ministers. Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, (that is, their ‘manner of life.’) Believers are to follow the faithful conduct of those who minister the word to them.
Also the Apostle Paul writes to the Roman believers that the gospel is effectually passed on from the faith of the preacher to the faith of the hearer. For it is said to go “from faith to faith.” Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Denominational religion jealously guards their form of godliness, insisting that all new members adhere, and are conformed to the practice of that particular brand of traditional belief. But the Holy Spirit is the ‘force’ who continues the line of the true church by issuing the gift of faith. Therefore it is not by outward conformity to religious practice, but by inward spirituality, conformed to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
The Lord Jesus even stated that belief of his works was essential for those who had trouble in believing that Jesus of Nazareth was very God! John 10:37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
But it borders on blasphemy to think that the Apostle Paul was saying that he had to add to the afflictions of Christ in order to finish out the work of atonement! For no one but the Holy Lamb of God could, and did purchase our redemption. Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
And it is by these sanctified afflictions that the believers are afforded great assurance that they are included in the atonement. Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. For as there are THE sufferings, there is also THE consolation! 2 Corinthians 1:7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
For these specific afflictions are ‘before ordained’ for specific believers. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. And God carefully allows only the trials to come upon each individual believer according to the ability to which he has assigned them. 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
That is one very sound way to determine one’s spiritual ability. “Am I a one, two, or five talent believer?” Just consider the strength of your afflictions and you will see the strength of your assigned ability. “Much” is only required from those to whom “much” is given! Luke 12:48 …For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
And it is by these personal afflictions that the soul is progressed in sanctification. Did you pray for patience? Tribulation is the only way that patience is developed within the redeemed soul. Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
And the way which the God-called minister is taught to comfort others is by his own personal afflictions. 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2 Corinthians 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
For no one can be a profitable servant of the Lord without the essential preparations of his own personal cross! Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Herein is the spiritual mind of all true believers. For the worldly religious stand at the foot of the cross and shout, “Come down.” Matthew 27:40 And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 42 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
But the true believers find it the only thing in which to glory. Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
For the present endurance of sufferings brings the assurance of future glory. 2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Brother Gene
