Paul suffered a great deal to bring people to Christ and plant churches. He did not claim any great credit for this; rather, he saw it as simply part of continuing the ministry of Jesus. Paul wanted to see the work of Jesus come to completion in people’s lives. In fact, he was so preoccupied with this that he was willing to give up anything for this mission. And for this mission self-sacrifice is requisite. The restoration of people required the sacrifice of Christ, and it requires sacrifice from us also to serve this cause. So, the question is: how much do you want to see Jesus’ work come to fruition in the lives of those around you? Are you willing to give something toward this? When we give something, another person gains from something that we choose to forfeit. To love other people you must give something, which in turn, means that you thereby forfeit something. Paul didn’t give what was spare to this work. He gave his best for it, and he used what was spare for himself. But though Paul forfeited a lot for his ministry there is never any sense of loss in his expressions. On the contrary his expressions indicate that the more he gave the more he gained of what he truly valued. The more he gave the more he was filled; filled, that is, with the greatest gift of all which is the presence and life of Jesus in one’s hearts.
Reflect on what God may be calling you to sacrifice toward his work.
Read Colossians 1:24-29
