Rejoicing in suffering

Before we get started, please read the previous article, here; Offer it up!

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh which I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church”. Now, there's more there, but, remember, numbered verses were not originally in the text. You were supposed to keep reading. So, I think it would be wise to see the surrounding text. (Colossians 1:24)
Let's start at v.21
“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you hold and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. Which has been proclaimed in all creation, under heaven, and which I, Paul, became a minister”. (Colossians 1:21-23).
Now, of course, there is A LOT more to this, but, I want you to realize something. Paul mentions the importance of continuing in the faith, and keeping hope in the gospel.
Now, why does he mention his own suffering? Well, let's read verse v25-26
“of which I became minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, the mystery hidden for all ages and generations but now revealed to his saints”.
Paul knows something very true, Christian life comes with suffering. We should EXPECT suffering.
And Paul doesn't shy away from it. He doesn't say “name it, and claim it”, no, he says “Christianity is hard, but this is why we have hope”.

*All verses from ESV Catholic Edition with Deuterocanonical Books, Copyright 2017 by Crossway

Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, news, and whatever community, if you'd like to help him out, go here.

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