Suffering and Gospel Sanctification

"I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church..." - Colossians 1:24 (see also 2:1-3)

In this fifth sermon* in the ongoing series through Colossians, "Christ Our Sanctification," we see something about the role of joyful Christian suffering for the Gospel that is both obvious and yet almost shocking. The Holy Spirit through Paul says that the joyful suffering of one Christian for the Gospel is a catalyst both for the salvation of the lost and for the sanctification of other Christians. Are you making use of this great benefit which God has given you in the sufferings of His saints from the first century until now? Have you considered how God would have you glorify Him in your sufferings, both to bring in the lost and to edify the saints?

God certainly uses our sufferings for our own spiritual benefit, so to avoid suffering for the Gospel is to cause one's self spiritual harm. But if God also uses our sufferings for the Gospel for the spiritual benefit of others, then to avoid that suffering is unloving.

"I'm trading comfort for human life, and that's not just murder, it's suicide." - Derek Webb

*I'm deeply indebted to Pastor John Piper, whose clear exposition of Colossians 1:24 in his book "Desiring God" has proven invaluable to me. Much of the content of this sermon I learned from him in that book.