Colossians 1:24-29
Gordon E. Johnson
Rio Grande Bible Institute
Paul has prayed for the Colossian Christians, not every having met them. His prayer to the Father is for the full understanding of their position in Christ – filled with wisdom and understanding, so as to walk worthy of their high calling (Col. 1:9-14). To show them the greatness of that calling, Paul gives one of the fullest descriptions of who Christ really is, the incomparable one, the invisible God, the creator, the sustainer and finally the head of the church of which they are a vital part in spite of their rebellious past (Col.1:21-23).
Now Paul will rejoice in his part in their conversion. He has been their minister, their servant and his sufferings, now in jail, are all a part of that high calling. In a way Paul sees his sufferings as a part of Christ's sufferings, of course, not as their Savior for that role is unique. But suffering is a part of the Christian's calling – to suffer for the sake of the body of Christ (Col.1:24-25). Paul rejects the idea that the true believer is exempt from suffering, as some would teach today. His sufferings and theirs in multiple ways identify them with the head of the church who suffered that we might live. In another prison epistle he says: "For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake (an honor), not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Phil. 1:29). What a different perspective on suffering! Not be de dreaded or feared but accepted as a part of our calling.
But what follows is breathtaking. Paul has introduced them (26) to the ultimate, the supreme fact of the Christian life - - the indwelling of the Christ, not our achievement but rather a revelation to us, a recognition of the glorious fact. This knowledge was hid from generations past but now is openly revealed to the Gentiles, what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you (us) the hope of glory (27).
The glorious truth that Christ by the Holy Spirit dwells in every true believer is the very foundation of our relationship with him. All experience should depart from that fact and all life should return again and again to it. He is the ultimate realization of God's presence. We didn't earn his indwelling nor merit it; the Holy Spirit alone maintains it. Our part is to believe it, give thanks for it, allow it govern every thought and action. His presence does not depend on our "feeling" it; it depends on his solid word of promise. "But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Rom. 8:10)."But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him" (1 Cor. 6:1).
On the basis of this glorious fact, "we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ (28). From this truth of the indwelling as a daily reality in Christ every believer grows and matures and stands in God's presence with full confidence. In the truth of justification, our new standing in Christ, we move to Christ in us; Christ for us in forgiveness and Christ in us and we in him in our sanctification and holiness of walk.
The Christian life takes on new reality, its only true reality, when we grasp by faith that he does live in us. We need only to believe it, give thanks for it and experience the presence of the Holy Spirit making it a present reality. Not I but Christ - Paul's glory.
Gordon E. Johnson
May 24, 2005
