FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING
Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel on January 6, 2023
“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 (ESV)
In the Christian life, and in the biblical narrative, we see God perfecting all in his work, “man shall not be alone” and even after creating the helper to Adam, Eve was suitable to him, now a close consideration of Adam and Eve fall, God still working to cover them for their own shame from leaves cover to animal skin cover. And from the beginning to the current He works, Jesus after performing the healing on Sabbath day of the thirty-eight years man infirmities, Jesus said “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” (John 5:17 ESV). No law can intercept him from completing what He would like to.
Apostle Paul’s spiritual suffering was filled up and lacked nothing, as Jesus’s work perfected just that. His faith found strength and he rejoiced to know that Jesus was sufficient, and he ought to take that as part of his laboring for the church with confidence.
Certainly, in Christ, we lack nothing, but when speaking of the gospel of Christ, there can be a gap that exists between God and people. When His people lack faith, lost in the world, and reach this gospel of salvation reconciling men to God, we look deep at the suffering He endured on the Cross was to bring men closer to God, therefore removing all barriers.
To encompass this gap, we investigate what Jesus says, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:7-11 (ESV)
What it means here, is that what we lack can only be filled up by the Holy Spirit who convicts us in all aspects of life.
When left alone, we are miserable and vulnerable, and we lack in many ways.
Spiritual speaking, we lack love, holiness, and virtue. Man is always in need of that life that the Spirit gives. It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh provides no benefit; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life. John 6:63 (NASB) Here Jesus was teaching what we lack when our faith relies on the flesh, and the result is in the flesh itself, we are nothing, we lack the spiritual provision in order to live as God created us to be.
What causes this lack is our sinful nature, sin is very dangerous if not harming our souls and the relationship between men and God. But Jesus Christ is the only one who can bridge that and gives life. Romans 8:2 “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
This law is what Jesus says that He is the way. In the Old Testament, the law was viewed as a way that God wanted people to follow and live to avoid being separated from him, the law was how God’s guidance was to his people, for their benefit and well-being. Later with the coming of the Lord Jesus, He makes mentions that “I am the way, truth, and life” (John 14:6), and in Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Jesus’s declaration was not to come and break the way how God related to His people in the Old Testament, but rather to strengthen it. So, what we lack can only be completed by Jesus, in the way He suffered for our sins, just to give us eternal life. The substitute for our sins.
Fourteen benefits of how Jesus fills up what we lack:
? In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
? I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
? In whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:14)
? Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:14)
? By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (1 John 3:16)
? And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)
? For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
? You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. (1 Corinthians 7:23)
? And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:3)
? The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
? Repent, therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. (Acts 3:19)
? Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. (Colossians 2:6)
? Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:14)
? And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2)
