Passage Read: Colossians 1-2
Meditation Verses: 2:1-3
Thought
Both near the end of Chapter 1 and here Paul makes mention of his sufferings for the churches, including the Colossians, whom he hasn't even met. It is deliberate, as he says clearly here. He wants them to know how much he is struggling for them, so that they would "be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they would have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." These things cannot come to fruition or be fully understood if there is no difficulty in bringing the message and in defending the message. In a sense, if the message is not worth fighting for, suffering for, then it lacks real meaning and import. And if it comes without difficulty, then those who receive it think they too can enjoy it without cost. They can gain an inflated view of themselves, as if it's all about them, putting them on a pedestal, rather than recognizing that the suffering endured for their sake is really out of devotion to Christ, who is of utmost value and importance! Those who receive the message without the messenger suffering are in danger of missing the whole point of the message or of having a dangerously distorted understanding of the message. We're uncomfortable if someone has to suffer for our benefit, because it means we owe a debt to that person that we must make some attempt at repaying or honoring that costs us something, depending on the degree of sacrifice for us and value brought to us. If we truly appreciate the benefit brought to us, we gladly give anything in return. But if we don't appreciate the benefit or recognize it's value, we're inconvenienced and embittered by the debt owed. Paul goes into great detail about his sufferings to the Corinthians in order to secure their repentance and devotion and dedication to Christ, not merely to Paul personally. His sufferings for the message to them proves his highest concern is not for his profit off their backs, but ensuring their eternal benefit. He reminds Philemon directly that he owes Paul his life in seeking Philemon's forgiveness for his runaway slave. Today we call that manipulation, which is bad. It can certainly be abused when it's really about someone doing my will, but it's only effective because of the innate power of the suffering of one for another--the proof of their genuine concern for what is best for that other person.
Application
It is not helpful to conceal what one suffers or sacrifices for another so that the other can enjoy benefit, as if without obligation. That, oddly, is what inflates the ego of the beneficiary in an unhealthy manner. It feeds the idea that the whole world exists to serve them. They do not learn the value of others and the general obligation to treat others as equals and just as deserving of basic human kindness. On the other hand, constantly harping on the sacrifices made to benefit another poisons the worth of the sacrifice and turns it into a hateful and hated weapon to control the behavior of another. It's no longer for the good of the other but for the good of the self. I need to live in such a way that shows that the message of the Gospel is worth sacrifice and suffering, that it is more important than any comfort or blessing, position or power or favor I can obtain in this world and life. Then people can grasp in a real way the exceeding value of the Gospel and all God's Word--if they understand some of what I and others have suffered and given up to bring them this message. If I'm not willing to suffer or sacrifice for this message, if I'm not willing to make clear what has been suffered or sacrificed to bring this message, it will seem to be no better than the next self-help message from the next profit-seeking guru to come along. I actually undercut the message I hope will change the ones to whom I bring it.