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Reading - Consider it Pure Joy (Colossians 1:1-14)
This letter is, as is so often the case, a corrective. The Colossian saints had been prey to some very questionable teachings, especially Asceticism (2:21-23), angel worship (2:18) and Gnosticism (2:2-3&18). Paul's purpose in writing was to encourage them to persevere in what they had already received (1:5-7) and to affirm that they already had all they needed in Christ (2:10).
Given that "[we] have been given fullness in Christ" I was surprised and encouraged by the use and purpose to which Paul puts this fullness. In chapter 1 we read:
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully give thanks to the Father… (v.v.10-11)
It is fashionable in some quarters to regard our access to "fullness in Christ" and our "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might" as cause for great expectations that the true believer will simply triumph and overcome in all circumstances. Here, however, these remarkable gifts help us simply show "great endurance and patience". This is not the picture some have come to expect of the Christian believer and many are discouraged when the fullness and power of God are not immediately evident in their lives in more spectacular ways. But consider what James wrote to encourage believers:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
We have already covered some of the ideas in these verses in an earlier study but I want to encourage us again in light of the struggles we know many are having at this time. It is true that there are those among us who are indeed facing "trials of many kinds", and it is popular to believe that this simply shouldn't be happening to a fervent believer. Some look to all sorts of things to "explain" what they are convinced shouldn't be happening but the Bible makes clear that trials are so often part of the process rather than obstacles to the process of growing in the things of God.
"We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" was the message Paul and Barnabus took to the saints in Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. (Acts 14:22)
To the Romans Paul wrote, "Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings, in order that we may also share in his glory!" (Ro.8:17)
To Thessalonica he wrote, "Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God's judgement is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering." (2 Thess.1:4-5)
And to Rome again he wrote, " And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us…" (Ro.5:2-5)
It seems that hope is intrinsically tied up with suffering. This is not to say that anyone has to suffer in any special way in order to "qualify" for the kingdom. It does mean, however, that "trials of many kinds" are the common lot of those that hope in Christ. And this should come as no surprise since we are all victims of the fall and have made ourselves enemies of the world by turning our back on it. A world that will, therefore, regard us as enemies.
In his letter to Ephesus Paul teaches us about the armour of God.
"Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes (note he writes 'when' and not 'if') you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Eph.6:13)
If you are doing no more than standing this week you are doing something remarkable. If you are no more than enduring and patient this week you are doing the miraculous because you can only do it by the strength and power of God. If you are facing trials of many kinds it is hard to rejoice. But you should be more prepared to rejoice than to complain that your Christian walk is a failure or that forces beyond your ken or control are diverting your walk from its true path. Remember what Paul wrote to the Corinthians:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all." (2 Cor.4:16-17)
May God give us many opportunities to endure and
grow in character so that he may be glorified.