LOVE THAT COVERS
“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,” Colossians 1:24 NKJV
In our theme scripture Paul makes a selfless statement of how much he was willing to be spent for the body of Christ to stand. This scripture is often misinterpreted as though he meant that Christ’s sacrifice was insufficient, but that is not so.
What Paul is saying that he is willing to be an example to follow until the church in colossae is strong enough to stand on its own feet, following Christ with understanding and in one accord. This complements the command of the apostle Peter where he exhorts us to love one another unconditionally because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). This is not just true of Paul as a minister, it is a practice that parents should have toward children, husbands toward their wives, wives toward their husbands and believers toward one another.
How much you are willing to sacrifice for Christ to be revealed through your life is how much you are filling up your own flesh with what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ. Child of God, let it be said of you that you were willing to go the extra mile for another to receive or grow in Christ. Hallelujah!
Prayer: Father I thank you for this truth. I take every opportunity to witness the love of Christ to my brothers who are estranged from the faith as a personal assignment and honor. I am confident that you supply all that I need for such a task as I live, move and have my being in you. Strengthen me in my inner man to fulfill this great call to all those you entrust to me, in Jesus name. Amen!
CI.
