Paul the apostle rejoiced in
his “sufferings” for the church members in Colosse. Though
he paid a price in his body for their knowing the gospel of Jesus
Christ, he filled up in his flesh “the afflictions of Christ”,
and they were benefited by it. In chapter one and verse twenty-five
of his letter to the church in Colosse, Paul repeats the idea of
being a “minister” to them where we read:
Whereof I am made a
minister, according to the dispensation of God
which is given to me
for you, to fulfill the word of God;
The verse begins, “Whereof
I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is
given to me for you...” Because
Paul was willing to suffer for the Colossians knowing the gospel, he
was “made a minister”
which means “become or made to be one who executes the
commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, or attendant”
“according to the dispensation of God” or
“down from, toward or along the management, oversight,
administration, of other's property; the office of a manager
or overseer, or stewardship of God”. In other words, Paul was made
the servant and steward over God's precious gospel which was given
unto the church members in Colosse.
The
verse goes on to say, “...to fulfill the word of God;”
The reason given by Paul for his
position as minister was “to fulfill” or
“to make full, to cause to abound, to furnish or supply
liberally or complete” “the word of God” which
is “a word, uttered by a living voice which embodies a conception
or idea, and in this case God's”. Through Paul's servanthood and
stewardship of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Colossians were
exposed to the grace of Jesus Christ, and Paul fulfilled the word of
God by doing so.
When
we take the time to think about Paul's obedience to be a minister and
steward over the “the word of God” we
should examine what the Lord Jesus has put within our charge. Are we
faithful to be and do as He desires and thus “fulfill the
word of God” in our lives as
well? Have we ever taken the time to realize that are “properties”
in which the Lord has put within our trust? As we ponder these ideas,
let us allow the Lord to reveal areas in which He desires that we be
ministers to others, and may we fulfill His word as we govern and are
as stewards over that which belongs to Him.
Next
time Paul writes about a mystery,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ;
www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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