Costly Service

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, 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. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness…

Colossians 1:23b-25

One of the remarkable things we must learn is that many people have had a part in bringing the gospel to us. Oftentimes that part was played long before we ever came to Christ, but when we learn of it we are greatly moved. I will never forget the Methodist evangelist who preached to me when I was ten years old. I remember the text he preached from, because when I heard the gospel I came to Christ. I do not know where that man is or what has happened to him, but his name and the memory of that occasion are still fresh in my mind.

Some may wonder what is meant by the statement, the gospel…that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. How could that be? When Paul wrote this, he had only preached in a few cities of the Roman Empire. He did not even know about North and South America. How could this statement be true? We find the answer in Romans 10. There he argues that there must be preachers who are sent in order for people to hear. He quotes from Psalm 19, Their voice has gone out to all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. That psalm states, The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. Nature is the first preacher of the gospel. There is order in the universe. There is clearly intelligence behind it all. If anyone responds to the facts that nature presents about the existence of a God of power and glory, and begins to seek him, then God assumes the responsibility to bring him to the Savior.

Paul also states that the character of those who preach the gospel is that they are servants. They count it a delight to be used of God. This is a distinguishing mark by which you can tell whether a preacher is true or false. We Christians are given the privilege of serving the Living God. God uses us in our weakness, failure, and folly to proclaim this truth to others. The realization that the God of Glory is willing to do that should create in us a deep sense of gratitude.

But such service involves much pain and sacrifice. Paul says that he fills up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ. Clearly, he does not mean that something was lacking in the atoning work of Jesus. But when we are engaged in fighting against the opposition of the devil, we are engaged in a combat, and combat is always costly! Someone must pay a price in order that others might come to Christ. Have you ever asked yourself, how many prayers, heartache and disappointment someone went through for you to come to Christ? When we come to Christ we are to take up this battle and suffer on behalf of others.

Thank you, Lord, for all those people who had a hand in bringing me to you. May I also be used by you as part of the process of seeing others come to Christ. Amen.