Fill up what is lacking in christ's afflictions

[Heneni]

The love of Christ he demonstrated through His suffering on the cross was completely enough to secure our everlasting salvation. However, the world, since Jesus is no longer here, has no opportunity to see the same kind of suffering HE experienced unless we suffer in full view of the world. So the body of Christ suffers to reveal and make real to the world the suffering of Christ, in his absence. In Paul’s case his suffering did no complete Christ’s sufferings in the sense that Christ’s afflictions were not sufficient, but rather he extended them to the people they were meant to save. So he was filling up what was lacking in the extension of the suffering of Jesus to his day and age, and we in our day and age.

We don’t only preach the good news but we extend the reality of the suffering Jesus experienced on the cross because he loved us to others. And so the gospel makes great headway when the children of god suffer, because we then bear in our bodies the marks of Jesus so that JESUS might be seen and love might work powerfully in those who see it. The cross is all about love, and the suffering that Jesus endured was all for our sake, and the power of the gospel is demonstrated also, when we too extend the suffering of the cross to others, in order to reveal and not only teach about the love of god, through his son, for the world through suffering.

So Paul says ''death is at work in us, but life in you''. The suffering that Paul experienced at times made him feel like he had received the sentence of physical death, yet the danger of being martyred and the suffering and afflictions he went through, and the confident hope that Paul had in heaven, and the love that he had for the congregations, would work powerfully in the observers and listeners of the gospel, as he extended his suffering to them, in order to also extend the life of Christ to them. So death was working in him, but life in them.

1 Peter 4:16
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.

Phil 1:29

29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

Rejoice insofar as you SHARE Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:13)

It is with affliction that we receive the word, with joy in the HS (who gives us understanding), so that you become and example to all the believers.
1 Tess 1:6-7

 

[Ret]

The love of Christ he demonstrated through His suffering on the cross was completely enough to secure our everlasting salvation. However, the world, since Jesus is no longer here, has no opportunity to see the same kind of suffering HE experienced unless we suffer in full view of the world. So the body of Christ suffers to reveal and make real to the world the suffering of Christ, in his absence. In Paul’s case his suffering did no complete Christ’s sufferings in the sense that Christ’s afflictions were not sufficient, but rather he extended them to the people they were meant to save. So he was filling up what was lacking in the extension of the suffering of Jesus to his day and age, and we in our day and age.

• Colossians 1:24 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: KJV
  
  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. NASU

... :amen

 

[spiritual-journey]

This is a good point well made, however, I wonder how much of it is to do with evangelism and how much of it is to do with preparing the bride of Christ in terms of sanctification. Paul specifically says the filling up of Christ's suffering is on behalf of the church not unbelievers. Obviously where the church is strong it will be evangelising but I think there are many aspects to what Paul was saying.

 

[Joe67]

This is the wonderful mystery of Christ. He and his body. Jesus of Nazareth, the Head, and we the Body, with each of us members in particular.

The Head is fulfilled in and through the Body as a unit. Each of us is only a particle. Our suffering is not worth to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us, though:

Rom 8:15-18
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. KJV

Joe

 

[Ret]

This is a good point well made, however, I wonder how much of it is to do with evangelism and how much of it is to do with preparing the bride of Christ in terms of sanctification. Paul specifically says the filling up of Christ's suffering is on behalf of the church not unbelievers. Obviously where the church is strong it will be evangelising but I think there are many aspects to what Paul was saying.

When the church suffers afflictions for the name of Jesus Christ, the afflictions are handed out by unbelievers. Paul, himself was once an unbeliever and assisted others in the stoning of Steven. From there he went on to vigorously persecute Christians, till God smote him on his journey to Damascus. Paul repented and joined the Christians....later he became the one to be persecuted (afflicted).

It is the enduring of persecutions done by unbelievers to believers that is a powerful witness to those watching. Yes, it is sanctification to the one/s being afflicted, it is evangelism to the one/s doing the afflicting or watching the one/s being afflicted.

• 2 Tim 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,
  make full proof of thy ministry. KJV
  
  1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults,
  ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it,
  ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
  
  21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us,
  leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: KJV

 

[Joe67]

The apostles Peter, John and Paul and also James testified that tribulation, suffering, trials, temptations, and afflictions are the pathway of the believer in Jesus.

Our Lord Jesus told us that the servant is not above his master. As it was done to him, it will also be done to his Body. Our pathway of trials and afflictions does not justify us. It does not sanctify us. It is the perfecting of the saints who have already experienced justification and sanctification through the blood of Jesus. It does keep us from being exalted beyond measure as testified in 2 Corinthians 12:7.

The perfecting of the saints will be misunderstood by him who has not experienced justification at the voice of the Lord and sanctification through his election.

The perfecting of the saints make us conformable to his death in the fellowship of his sufferings as testified in Philippians 3:10.

Heb 2:10
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. KJV

Heb 5:9
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; KJV

Heb 10:10
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. KJV

Heb 10:14
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. KJ

May the Lord give us all grace to hear his justification, see his invisible grace, and a heart to understand the chastening of the Lord. Let us not draw back unto perdition.

Your fellow servant of our Lord Jesus,
Joe

 

[Heneni]

I agree, that the suffering that we experience is by the hands of non-believers. If we dont suffer for doing evil, its because we are suffering for doing good. The darkness hates the light and does not want the light around, because it exposes their evil deeds. But there is more to it than that i think:

Consider what happened to stephen. While stephen was being stoned, saul (paul) was standing by and witnessing all of this even approving of it. Later on saul is converted.

Our suffering falls on deaf ears and hard hearts, unless god can turn that suffering for the good of others even for the good of those who persecute us. Paul saw how simon suffered for his beliefs. Simon was extending the suffering of chirst to those around him. Paul was in the crowd watching all of this happening. This suffering extended to those around simon the love of god and just before he died he said ''forgive them''.

When we suffer at the hands of non-believers and they do this because of ignornace, god will forgive them, if you forgive them, and use that suffering to the benefit of the non-believer. But if the non-believer persecutes the children of god not out of ignorance...then there will be vengence! Take for example judas. Was he ignorant that jesus was the son of god? How could he have been, he was one of those who went out healing the sick and driving out demons with the other disciples. He knew who he was dealing with. And when he turned against the son of god, his end was not the same as paul who christ said was persecuting him.

Heneni

 

[Heneni]

This is a good point well made, however, I wonder how much of it is to do with evangelism and how much of it is to do with preparing the bride of Christ in terms of sanctification. Paul specifically says the filling up of Christ's suffering is on behalf of the church not unbelievers. Obviously where the church is strong it will be evangelising but I think there are many aspects to what Paul was saying.

Everything that comes our way that causes suffering can be turned for our good and even for the good of those who will come to believe because of it.

Our suffering tries our faith, which is precious and proves to be genuine when we suffer patiently and with hope. The goal of our faith is salvation and so suffering is always aimed at getting that faith to weaken, or even to try and destroy it, for us to loose all hope. However when the troubles, persecution, trials and temptations come, so does a way of escape. God is faithful, and wont let more come our way than we can bear, or more precisely what he can bear for us. Suffering proves to us, not to god, that our faith is genuine. As these things come our way, god will strengthen our faith and uphold us, keep us safe. Even when it feels like everything is falling to pieces, in time we will see how god carried us through it and made a way of escape. The way of escape is always a way that will stop us from loosing our faith in him completely. When things come our way that makes us wanna give up on god, he never gives up on us. He is the one who actively keeps our faith alive by working in us to keep on believing!

Some of us have gone through stuff and we have even at times thought all this christianity stuff is balony, and yet here we are! God has made a way of escape, we still believe! We are still his kids! :shades

 

[Ret]

When we suffer at the hands of non-believers and they do this because of ignornace, god will forgive them, if you forgive them, and use that suffering to the benefit of the non-believer. But if the non-believer persecutes the children of god not out of ignorance...then there will be vengence! Take for example judas. Was he ignorant that jesus was the son of god? How could he have been, he was one of those who went out healing the sick and driving out demons with the other disciples. He knew who he was dealing with. And when he turned against the son of god, his end was not the same as paul who christ said was persecuting him.

Heneni

Yes, a puzzling question about Judas and how could he do what he did. I believe Judas thought Jesus would NOT consent to death on the cross, as it was the most ignominious death of the time. Consider that Judas is seeking to 'force' Jesus to be 'King' of Israel, as some benefit, and some glory to himself by 'making the deal', then being exalted to second in command next to the King. Thus, I have come to believe Judas was self-deceived and thereby 'ignorant' of what he was doing!

• Matt 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing
  they hear not, neither do they understand.
  
  14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear,
  and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: KJV

Further witness speaks of the ignorance of the 'princes of this world' in the time of Christ...

• 1 Cor 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,
  which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
  
  8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it,
  they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. KJV

This history is left to us and for us to understand that 'filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions' will be accomplished by people who are IGNORANT of what they are actually doing. But through this ignorance, God will bring many to repentance. Praise God!