Complete in Christ: Colossians 1.19-29 (6)
Pray Psalm 126.1, 2.
When the LORD brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
Sing Psalm 126.1, 2
Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns
When God restored our fortunes all, we were like those who sweetly dream.
Our mouths with joy and laughter filled, made Him our constant song and theme.
Read and meditate on Colossians 1.29.
How does all this “work” work?
Preparation
1. How many different times does the idea of work appear in this verse?
2. Who’s doing all this working?
Meditation
What is this “work” Paul is writing about here? It’s the work of being a disciple and making disciples. Paul worked to increase in his discipleship, and he poured himself out to make disciples of those he was called to serve. And all this was the work of God working (“energizing”) within him.
Start talking about works of any kind, and many Christians stop listening. “I have enough work to do already; I don’t need any more.” Or, “I don’t have to work for my salvation.” That’s true, we do not work for our salvation, that is, in order that we might be saved. But being saved, we work out our salvation, for we have been redeemed for this purpose by the Lord Jesus (Eph. 2.8-10; Phil. 2.13). And, as Paul shows, the energy for all this work comes from God working mightily in us. That’s pretty exciting, huh?
Paul “agonized” in this laboring (“striving”, as the NKJV has it). Working out your salvation and working to help others grow in theirs is not easy. It’s labor, work, striving, and working. But we have the promise and assurance that, as we exert ourselves in this calling, God is at work within us, by His Spirit, mightily helping us to realize the goals we seek in our work.
We won’t know the power—the energizing—of the Spirit working in us unless we exert ourselves diligently in the direction of being and making disciples. If we really want to grow, we need the power of God to work in us. And that power is right there, just below the gearbox of your soul, waiting for you to engage the gears of obedience. Then He will energize us for growth and ministry so that we, like Paul, labor and work and agonize to improve our discipleship and to help others grow in theirs (cf. 1 Cor. 11.1).
Discipleship=Being like Jesus. There’s no better workout than this.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“To this end I also labor,
striving according to His working which
works in me mightily.” (Colossians 1.29 NKJV)
“To this end I strenuously contend
with all the energy Christ so powerfully
works in me.” (Colossians 1.29 NIV)
“For this I toil,
struggling with all His energy that He powerfully
works within me.” (Colossians 1.29 ESV)
“This is my work, and I can do it
only because Christ’s mighty energy is at
work within me.” (Colossians 1.29 TLB)
The work that we have been called to do
can only be done when
the Holy Spirit is working within us.
But the work that we have been called to do
will only be done when we decide to get busy
and call upon Christ’s power to help us do it.
And then do it.
This work we do “will be great, for our God is greater than all gods” (2 Chron. 2.5).
Striving. Struggling. Toiling. Working.
Mightily. Powerfully. Energetically.
To present ourselves, and those we disciple, “perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1.28.
Reflection
1. What does it mean to “work out” your salvation? Work it out to what end?
2. How can we, like Paul, help other believers to work out their salvation?
3. Should working out our salvation make us stronger in the Lord? In what ways?
Paul toiled and agonized for the perfection of his fellow believers (see v. 28), not in his own strength but by the power of God working in him. Earl Radmacher (1931-2014), NKJV Study Bible Notes on Colossians 1.29
Closing Prayer: Psalm 126.3-6
How will you sow the good seed of the Kingdom of God today? Commit your work to the Lord, and go forth expecting Him to bring a harvest of good Kingdom fruit from your labors.
Sing Psalm 126.2-6.
Truro: Shout, for the Blessed Jesus Reigns
Then the astonished nations said, “The LORD has done great things for them!”
Indeed, great things our God has done, Whose Name we praise, Amen, Amen!
Restore our fortunes, LORD our King! Let grace like flowing streams prevail.
All they with tears of joy shall sing who sow while yet they weep and wail.
They who in tears of sorrow sow and cast their seed on every hand,
with joy shall reach their heav’nly home, and bring the harvest of their land.T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Men, check out the fall schedule of online reading and study groups. Lots of opportunities here to grow and make some new friends. And look over the free books in our clearance sale at The Ailbe Bookstore. Order several copies and share them around.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by ThomasNelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
