Struggle for the Sake of Jesus Christ

“For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you… (2:1)” Paul is repeatedly telling the Church in Colossae that he is suffering. So what was his purpose of letting them know about his struggle? And what was he struggling for?

The Purpose of Sending Letters in Paul’s Days

As Paul wrote in the very end of this letter, he sent this letter from the prison. So you can tell that one of the cause of his struggle was an imprisonment. While he was in prison, he received the news about the love between the church. This led Paul to the thankfulness and prayer about them. So Paul wanted let them know about his struggle but the church was also letting him know about what is happening to them by writing him letters. We can say that one of the main purpose of sending letters in Paul’s days was letting each other know about what is happening.

Struggle for the Sake of Jesus Christ

In Colossians 1:24, Paul is telling the church that he is suffering for their sake. And he also said that even the struggle is his joy. Because suffering for Christ’s church also means that they are suffering for Christ’s sake. For the church is the body of Christ and Christ is it’s head. Than what is the struggle for Christ’s sake? It is the struggle for spreading the Gospel but they were also promised that the Glory of Christ will be shown at the end of their suffering.

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, – Colossians 1:24

True Hope in the Days of Struggle

Glory of Christ was Paul’s hope in the days of his struggle(1:23). So he encouraged the church to have hope in Christ and to stand firm in the faith by sending this letter. So I think that one of the purposes of sending this letter was to let the church know about his labor for the gospel so that they can follow his example. Because Paul also became the servant of Christ’s church(1:25) by following the perfect example of Jesus Christ(1:13-14, 1:18, 2:13-14).

if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. – Colossians 1:23

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. – Colossians 1:13-14

To Be Aware of the False Teaching

In this letter, Paul is encouraging the church to have hope in Christ, but also to beware of the false teaching. Because the deceptive teaching that was threatening the Colossian church was completely different and opposite from the word of the truth, gospel(1:5). Not only that it doesn’t get them closer to God but it separate them from Jesus Christ. As Paul said, the Colossian church used to follow the worldly teaching but by the forgiveness of their sins through the redemption that came by Christ, they were given the true knowledge of God. So Paul is teaching them repeatedly in this letter not to return to the rules of the world but to live as the new man(3:10).

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. – Colossians 3:9-10

What is the Worldly Teaching?

Than what is the worldly teaching? “self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body (2:23)” are what Paul described about it. As you can tell from this passage, these are completely different from the true knowledge of God. We once followed the worldly teaching but we have put off the old self and have put on the new self. So we no longer walk like we used to walk but we have to live as the new man pleasing God in every way, “filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (1:9-12).” And we have to spend a lot of time in prayer to make that happen like Paul always prayed for the Colossian church.

These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. – Colossians 2:23

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. – Colossians 1:9-12

What is the True knowledge of God?

What is the true knowledge of God? Jesus Christ himself is the answer for that question. And we can embody that answer by living like Jesus lived. As Paul gave the specific order to wives, husbands, children, fathers, masters and servants in chapter 3 to 4 (3:18-4:6), to live like Jesus is to be thankful and to love each other for the sake of Jesus Christ (1:28, 2:7, 3:12-17).

Spreading the gospel is to preach the true knowledge of God to the people, and Paul was struggling for that (1:24, 29, 2:1). So by understanding his struggle and work for Christ, it will lead you to the wisdom of Christ himself (2:2).

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, – Colossians 2:1-2

Beware of the “Stoicheia”

Paul sent this letter to the Colossian church when he heard about their faith in Christ and the love that they had among them. And he is encouraging them to be filled with the knowledge of God (1:9). Not only that he i encouraging the church, but also warning them about the deceptive teaching which Paul called “deceptive philosophy (2:8)” and “worldly teachings (Gk. stoicheia) (2:20)”. Than what was the dangerous teaching that was rampant among the church? And how did it affect them (2:4)?

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. – Colossians 2:8

Dominion of Darkness and the Glory of Christ

As you can tell from what Paul said that they died to the “stoicheia” with Christ (3:3), which means they once walked under the dominion of darkness (1:13) with the “stoicheia” and not under the glory of Christ with the knowledge of God (1:9-12). You can see the absolute distinction between those two. And the walk under the dominion of darkness is described specifically in chapter 3 with the list of acts that belongs to the earthly fresh.

… giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son… – Colossians 1:13

The Body that Belongs to the World

So one of the things that Paul is warning the church in this letter is that we should not keep following the “stoicheia” as if we still belong to the early flesh (2:20). Because we died with Christ to take off our old self and was renewed to put on the new self (3:7-10). By the redemption in Jesus Christ, we became the part of His body and not of the world’s (3:1-3).

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. – Colossians 3:5

One of the problems in the Colossian church is that there were some people who still walk as if they were under the dominion of Darkness (2:20). Even though their sins were forgiven by the redemption (1:13-14, 2:11-13). So Paul is teaching them not to walk in the ways that they used to live with the earthly flesh. And to let go the “stoicheia” and live their lives according to the true knowledge of God (2:6-7). So you can tell that there is a direct relation between the knowledge and teachings and the way people walk their lives. And this is why paul is not just warning the church about the dangerous teaching but praying for them that they will be filled with knowledge of God and to live a life worthy of the Lord in 1:9-12.

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations–

The Life Worthy of the Lord

Than how should we live our lives worthy of the Lord (1:10)? As Paul wrote in 3:12-17, we have to love each other in Christ and have ourselves filled with thanks giving to the Lord all the time. Because these are what Jesus Christ did for the Church the body of His (2:19, 3:13). For He is the head of his body, the church. He is the model of our lives. It is very clear that the life that belongs to the earthly nature, like evil desires and greed (2:5-9).

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. – Colossians 3:12-14

Love and Thanksgiving

As Paul taught the Colossian church, the churches always have to be filled with love and thanksgiving (2:6-7, 3:12-17). So when Paul talks about “the life worthy of God”, he is not just talking about the lives of individuals but the life as the entire church. What Paul taught the church is to bear with each other, admonish each other, and to love one another (3:12-14). And Paul himself became the example for them of the love and thanksgiving, by loving them and praying for them. Because this is what Christ did for Paul and the reason that he became the servant for the church that proclaim Christ (2:24-29). And Christ himself is the true knowledge and wisdom. So by understating the wisdom of God, we will live our life worthy of God (1:10).

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. – Colossians 2:6-7

Who are the Gentiles?

In Epistle to the Ephesians, “Gentiles” comes out in three contexts. In the context about what we used to be, not the citizens of the kingdom of Christ but the Gentiles. And in the context about the Mystery of God which is the salvation that was given to the Gentiles. And the third time, where Paul is commanding the “family in Christ” to not to walk like the Gentiles. So who are the Gentiles? Let us look at the three sections and find out who are the Gentiles through those three perspectives.

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands– remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. – Ephesians 2:11-12

The Citizens of the Kingdom of God

In chapter 2, Paul is describing “the Gentiles” by using two synonyms. We also used to be the Gentiles before Christ died and resurrected us. But by in Him we were made to be the citizens of His kingdom. Which means we became and heir that inherit the kingdom of God. Paul is calling the citizens, family. So by using that word Paul is trying to interrelate the adoption by Jesus Christ and the salvation to the Gentiles. Salvation made the Gentiles true family member of Christ, so they became the citizens and the family member of Christ.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God… – Ephesians 2:19

The New Nation in Christ

So this is the salvation that was given to all of us. Before Christ’s promise was full filled by Him, salvation was made clear only to the Israelites. But by the gospels of Jesus, the Word was spread to more people, not only Jews but also to the Gentiles. We were given the grace that no matter who we are, or where we are from, we inherit the kingdom of God with Jews and the Gentiles. We are the new nation in Christ. So in this letter, Paul is writing the people who used to be the Gentiles to not to walk like they used to but to walk as the new men (4:24) in love.

… and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:23-24

The Unity of the Family in Christ

So how should we walk as the new men in His love? Paul is teaching us in chapter 5 to walk in love as Jesus loved the church. So the church must have unity in Christ. Walking in unity and love is the way how we have to walk. Which means the Gentiles walk with no unity but vanity. So we have to walk with thanksgiving and love. This is what Paul is commanding the nation of the kingdom of God to walk as one body of Christ. And the unity with love will be shown through husbands’ love to their wives and wives’ submission to their husband. And the children’s obedience to their parents and their parent’s forgiveness to their children. And the servants’ were told to obey their masters and their masters were to do the same to their servants. Because these are all what Jesus did to the church for He loved us.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… – Ephesians 5:25

Being Rooted and Grounded in Love

We are Gentiles no more but we are one in Christ and are the members of His family. So as Paul is teaching and commanding us in this letter, we have to be rooted and grounded in love and keep the unity in the bond of peace.

… from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. – Ephesians 4:16

What is the Mystery of God?

Paul uses the word “mystery” six times in this letter. When you hear this word, you might think of something vague and unclear. It is vague and unclear, but at the same time, if you read the entire letter, you will find out that “mystery” is revealed so clearly to the people who believes in Christ. And in this letter Paul is teaching us to walk as the people who were revealed what the mystery of God is. It is not a difficult order to walk like that, it seems even normal to do so. But by looking at “how we should walk” through “the mystery of God”, you will be able to find out the significance of this simple order.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ… – Ephesians 1:7-9

The Mystery of God

So what is “the mystery of God”? As Paul described about it in the first half of this letter, the salvation of Gentiles is the mystery. So Gentiles also became a part of Christ’s body. And the body of Christ is the church and Christ himself is the head. Not only that Gentiles were given the salvation but they also became an heir of the Lord’s kingdom. So there is no difference between their salvation and the Jews’ salvation. They are no more strangers and foreigners but the fellow citizens of God’s kingdom with all the other Christians.

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. – Ephesians 3:6

Death and Resurrection of Christ

We were once gentiles, before Christ died on the cross and resurrected. But by his death and resurrection, we became the member of His body and the family in Christ. Because His death also is our death and resurrection. So we have no grouping of Gentiles and Jews between us. We all are the people who were revealed the mystery.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God… – Ephesians 2:19

How Should We Walk?

And now we know what the mystery is and who is the people who made known the mystery. Than how should we walk? This is what Paul is writing about in the second half of this letter. He is encouraging the church to walk in love and unity. As you can tell by reading through the chapters, the word “walk” can be found 7 times in Ephesians.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called… – Ephesians 4:1

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. – Ephesians 4:1

The Family in Christ

Us the body of Christ is also called “the family in Christ(2:19)”. So as the family in Christ, wives have to submit to their husband and husband have to love them, because that is what Christ did to us in love. Children are ordered to obey their parents and fathers were told not to provoke their children. Servants have to serve their their masters with good will and masters are ordered to do the same to their servants.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God… – Ephesians 2:19

Paul is writing how we should walk so specifically because those are what Christ did to us in love. So we have to do those things in love and in unity. And these are the concrete orders on how we should walk. We no longer walk as the Gentiles or like the Gentiles but as the citizens of the Kingdom, as one body of Christ in unity and in love.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. – Ephesians 5:1-2

I wrote this in 2004, when I was 14 years old. About my grandmother’s death.

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On February 20, 2004 the phone rang and I was told that my grandmother Michiko had passed away. She was sixty eight years old. My parents decided to go to Fukushima where my grandparents lived, to prepare for her funeral. When I first heard that my grandmother died, I was so shocked that my eyes started to fill with tears. At that time I didn’t know why she had died and I felt hopeless. She was studying the Bible everyday for around two years. She studied the Bible two or four hours a day, and she studied it really hard.

My grandmother was reading the Bible and went to the church, but she wasn’t baptized yet, so I was worrying whether she went to heaven or hell. During our trip to Fukushima, I was worrying about this the whole time. When I arrived at my grandparents’ house, I knew that my grandmother died while she was studying the Bible. My father found out the reason she had died. He found out that she died because she studied the Bible too hard. When I saw what she was studying and what she wrote in her Bible Study Notebook, I knew that she was a Christian.

She wasn’t baptized, but she was a Christian. She wanted to be baptized but she couldn’t, because of her husband, my grandfather. She lived for God’s glory and she lived like a Christian woman. She is a great example to us, of how we are supposed to live as Christian men and women. At that moment I knew I was not hopeless anymore and God made me believe that I will meet her again in heaven.

The day before the funeral was snowy and was really cold. But on the funeral day, God showed us His great work. On that day the weather was perfect and I saw the bright sun and the beautiful mountains. At night I saw many stars shining in the sky. Truly, only God is our help and comfort our times of sadness.

This unexpected occurrence in my life first gave me a shock but God gave me more comfort. I learned many things from my grandmother’s death. I learned the greatness of the comfort given through our brothers and sisters in Christ. At the funeral we sang the hymn called “God Be With You Till We Meet Again”. This hymn makes me believe that I will meet her again in heaven more firmly.

God be with you till we meet again;
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
[Refrain]
Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

Her life on this earth was over and she has started her eternal life in heaven. Her life on this earth was full of sadness and worries. But at last she found peace, true peace in heaven, the Kingdom of God. She was alone as a Christian in Fukushima. She studied the Bible alone, but now she is with Jesus Christ and the people who believe in Jesus. She is praising God in Heaven with them. She is not alone anymore. I am so thankful to God for giving me a great Christian grandmother. I am also proud to have a grandmother like her.

I feel the great handiwork of God, God’s mercy, God’s love and God’s glory from everything that happened at my grandmother’s death. When I was on the way home, I was full of joy towards God. She left behind her great testimony of God for her non-Christian relatives, and not only for them, she also left us a great testimony. At the funeral, my eyes were filled with tears of joy towards the Love of God and His great mercy.

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. – Revelation 22:1-7

Gospel that Paul preached as the apostle to the Gentiles in Galatians

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul is calling himself an “apostle to the Gentiles(2:8)” comparing himself to Peter who was an “apostle to the Jews”. So does that mean that they were preaching two different Gospels?

…for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles… – Galatians 2:8 (ESV)

1:6-2:14 The Truth of the Gospel

As Paul is calling himself an “apostle to the Gentiles(2:8)”, he was called to preach the gospel especially to the Gentiles. So in Paul’s day the gospel was prevalent among big number of people. But at the same time, some Jews forced the Gentiles to be circumcised and also to keep the law of Moses. Because they believed that the circumcision is required for the salvation. So this problem between Jews and Gentiles is one of the key theme in this letter.

2:15-4:11 Justification and the Fulfillment of the Law

Jews believed that salvation will only be given by keeping the mosaic law and performing circumcision. But this ceremonial law was fulfilled by Jesus Christ so salvation was given to all the people who believe in Christ. Not like in the old days when salvation was given to those who kept the old covenant.

So what was the purpose of the Law? One of the purposes was to reveal people’s sins to themselves till the day of the Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. So the law is not something that goes against the promise that was given to Abraham and the seed. The Abrahamic covenant’s promise is that the people will be saved through faith in Jesus Christ and not by the works of the law. And that is the justification that Paul is speaking of in this letter.

4:12-5:6 Brothers of Christ

The people who believe in God will be Heavenly Father’s children. And they will also be His heir that inherit the kingdom of God with His Son Jesus Christ. And this is the fulfillment of the promise and the salvation. Paul is calling the people who is under the Abrahamic covenant “the son of free woman” in the comparison to “the son of slave woman” who is under the Mosaic law. The son also means the heir so the people who will be saved through faith in Christ will inherit the kingdom of God. Because we are the brothers of Christ. And this is the justification.

5:7-6:16 The Great Commandment

Salvation will be given through the faith in Christ and not through the ceremonial law. But it does not mean that the law was meaningless or bad. Or it does not mean that there is no connection between the faith in Christ and the Mosaic law. But the Mosaic law was summarized　into two commandments as Jesus taught the Pharisees　in Matthew 22:37-39, “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” and “love your neighbor as yourself.”. And this is the fulfillment of the Mosaic law that was done by Jesus Christ.

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. – Matthew 22:37-39 (ESV)

So by loving our brothers and sisters in Christ, we still keep the law but not the Mosaic law it self. But the Mosaic law that was fulfilled by Christ. Because Jesus Christ didn’t come to abolish the Law(Matthew 5:17) but to fulfill the law. And so keeping those two commandments of love which is also called “the great ” is the way we should live and walk in the Spirit(5:25).

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. – Galatians 5:25 (ESV)