… and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
Summary: How should we understand this passage? Sometimes, understanding is hiding around the corner and can only be seen out of the corner of our eye.
This statement by Paul troubles me.
Is there anything “lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions?”
Since Jesus allowed himself to be crucified on the cross two thousand years ago, people have pondered what it means. The problem we face as humans is that we are confined to the physical realm. We know what we can observe through our five senses. The only thing we “know” beyond that is what God has provided in his Word.
Some people contend that God speaks to us in other ways. The Bible describes prophets who speak for God. The problem with prophecy is that it is self-limiting. By that, I mean that a prophet, if legitimate, speaks to a moment in time. After that moment has passed, the memory of the prophecy fades. Prophecies are also limited by Scripture. God’s Word takes precedence over any supplemental messages God might share with us.
Has God explained this passage to someone during the past two thousand years? Possibly. However, the third limitation on prophecy comes into play. We need to be able to verify it in the Word and there is no way to verify a statement on this topic.
The one thing I do know is what the Bible has told us about Paul.
Paul had a very real encounter with the living Christ (Acts 9). He learned about Jesus by direct revelation (Galatians 1:12). If Paul says that there is a need for him to suffer for the sake of the body of Christ, I believe him.
To some extent, I understand (although I make no claim to understanding the part about Christ’s afflictions). The church as we know it is made up of people, and even the best person struggles with the “body of death” we all live with (Romans 7:24 ESV). It is the incessant pull of the “self” that cries for attention. It is our “self” that wants to be in charge. It is the “self” that continually generates the need for Christ’s redemptive blood.
Perhaps what is “lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions” is our own battle with sin. It is not something that wins us spiritual righteousness of any kind. Instead, it is simply the ongoing battle faced by every believer every day.
Application: Know that like Paul, our suffering has meaning if it moves us away from sin and towards our Lord Jesus.
Food for Thought: How does our suffering for our faith help the church?
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