Category: evil world system

Fill Up That Which is Behind? #6

Sunday, February 12, 2023

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

Did Jesus Christ suffer enough to pay for our sins? Then how can Paul “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?”

Once Satan realized a dispensational change arose with the Apostle Paul’s salvation and commissioning, he quit persecuting Israel’s believing remnant and started targeting God’s apostle of the Gentiles (see Romans 11:13). Concerning this the Dispensation of the Grace of God, the Church the Body of Christ is the Lord’s current agency of believers. So as to hinder, obstruct, and interfere with God’s purpose and plan for the Body of Christ, Satan worked in and through sinful men to do whatever he could to harass and harm Paul (today’s Scripture).

After the first two sons of men were born, a spiritual conflict existed between them. The narrative is recorded briefly in Genesis 4:1-8, but the underlying satanic motivation for the combat is made manifest centuries later in 1 John 3:11-13: “For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one [Satan], and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”

Unbelieving Cain followed Satan’s evil world system’s religion to the point of murdering his believing brother Abel—and it was that same religion of the evil world system that resulted in the execution of many of God’s people through the ages, all the way up to Jesus’ own murder at Calvary and beyond (see Matthew 23:29-37, Luke 11:45-51, and Acts 7:51-53). That evil world system was in Paul’s day during Acts, it is here with us at this present moment, and it will be in effect until Christ’s Second Coming in justice and righteousness.

Abel himself is no longer here, Christ Himself is no longer here, Paul himself is no longer here, so sinful men do to us what they cannot do to injure them….

Fill Up That Which is Behind? #5

Saturday, February 11, 2023

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

Did Jesus Christ suffer enough to pay for our sins? Then how can Paul “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?”

“Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Here are some other Pauline remarks: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

That is, as an apostle, Paul suffered various afflictions and oppositions in the process of getting the Message of Grace to us Gentiles. God’s grace in him compelled him to endure that suffering for us members of the Church the Body of Christ….

Fill Up That Which is Behind? #4

Friday, February 10, 2023

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

Did Jesus Christ suffer enough to pay for our sins? Then how can Paul “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?”

When Paul penned today’s Scripture, he was serving his two-year “house arrest” sentence in Rome that Luke recorded at the close of the Book of Acts: “And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him” (Acts 28:30,31). Verse 20 refers to his “chain” (shackles), verse 17 styles him a “prisoner,” and verse 16 describes a Roman soldier guarding him. Apostate Israel’s riot in Jerusalem in chapter 22 had resulted in Paul’s arrest, and he was eventually taken to Rome to await his trial before the emperor (Acts thus ends most abruptly, no outcome provided!).

Relating his situation of incarceration in Rome, the epistle (doctrinal letter) to the Colossians has these words. “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds [chains, those objects which bind]:…” (4:3). “The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen” (4:18). Apparently, Paul was ultimately freed before being recaptured in Rome, at which time he writes from prison (not house arrest here but a dungeon): “But thou [Timothy] hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch [Acts 13:45-52], at Iconium [Acts 14:1-7], at Lystra [Acts 14:19-22—note the “tribulation” warning of verse 22!]; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall [not ‘maybe,’ ‘might,’ or ‘possibly!’—but ‘shall!’] suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:10-12).

Indeed, Paul is partaking “of the afflictions of Christ in [his] flesh….”

Fill Up That Which is Behind? #3

Thursday, February 9, 2023

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

Did Jesus Christ suffer enough to pay for our sins? Then how can Paul “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?”

Observe the circumstances surrounding the conversion of Saul of Tarsus (later the Apostle Paul): “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:1-5).

Saul was abusing Israel’s believing remnant, the Little Flock, the Messianic Church, yet the Lord Jesus said, “Saul, thou art persecuting Me!” Jesus was in Heaven, but His saints were on Earth suffering the pain that sinful man would have inflicted upon Him if He were still present with them. Again, it was not, “Saul, thou art persecuting My people!” Rather, it was, “Saul, thou art persecuting Me!” The Lord is one with His saints.

Later in this chapter, the Lord told Ananias (a member of the Little Flock in Damascus): “Go thy way: for he [Saul/Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (verses 15,16). These “great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” bring us to today’s Scripture. Paul has been in ministry for over 30 years now, suffering for the same Jesus Christ that the Messianic Jews followed when he (Saul) was distressing, torturing, imprisoning, and killing them….

Fill Up That Which is Behind? #2

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

Did Jesus Christ suffer enough to pay for our sins? Then how can Paul “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?”

While Jesus Himself is not physically here to suffer, we suffer when we let Him live His life in and through us. The evil world system hated Him living during His earthly ministry, so it treats us with equal contempt. He told Israel’s believing remnant in John chapter 15: “[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. [20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”

Matthew chapter 25, Christ addressing the unbelieving nations who mistreated that same Little Flock during Daniel’s 70th Week: “[42] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: [43] I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. [44] Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? [45] Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these [tormented Messianic Jews], ye did it not to me.” The Lord identifies so closely with His persecuted people.

As believing Israel is oppressed for the Lord Jesus’ sake, so we His Body partake of the world’s rejection of Him….

Fill Up That Which is Behind? #1

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

“Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church” (Colossians 1:24 KJV).

Did Jesus Christ suffer enough to pay for our sins? Then how can Paul “fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ?”

Never, ever are we to reason Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary was in any way deficient, defective, or needing a “supplement.” Isaiah the Prophet described Father God’s assessment of Christ’s finished crosswork: “He shall see the travail [suffering] of his soul, and shall be satisfied…” (Isaiah 53:11). Hence, we read of Jesus being offered as a “propitiation” (Romans 3:25), a fully-satisfying payment or sacrifice for our sins. “For he [Father God] hath made him [Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “[Christ] Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). “And ye know that he [Jesus Christ] was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). If Jesus had a sin debt, then He certainly could not pay ours. Furthermore, if He—the sinless Son of God—could not pay for our sins, what hope do we sinners have in settling the debt?

While on Earth, the Lord Jesus was mistreated beyond belief, including being verbally attacked (insulted, gossiped about, mocked, challenged, blasphemed, taunted, lied about) and physically assaulted (spat upon, beaten, scourged/whipped, robbed of His clothes). All that suffering culminated in His crucifixion, when the torment escalated to extreme levels. Once He dismissed His spirit at physical death, sinful men could harm Him no further. When He rose the third day, He was victorious over the grave, never to die again.

The Lord Jesus Christ is not physically here on Earth, for He has been at His Father’s right hand in the third heaven for 20 centuries now. Yet, if they could, the people of the world would re-crucify Him in the blink of an eye, in the snap of a finger, in a heartbeat. Instead, they must settle for mistreating us believers….

Hearing is Not Enough #10

Saturday, January 14, 2023

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39 KJV).

Is hearing the Word of God enough? (NO!)

As numerous people in history heard the Word of God but placed no faith in it, as myriads today hear the Holy Bible yet refuse to trust it, so many souls in the future will hear the Word of God and persist in unbelief.

Hebrews 3:15 speaks of the ages to come: “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.” See Psalm 95:7,8: “For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.” Psalms recalls Israel’s unbelief during the 40-year wilderness wanderings under Moses. Hebrews looks to the future, when countless Jewish unbelievers support the Antichrist. Having heard substantial information about Jesus being Christ, but not trusting Him as personal Saviour, their callous or unfeeling heart thus inclines toward the Antichrist (thereby leading to their eternal doom)!

As much sound Bible doctrine as we have heard, we should not only have believed it in our head but, more importantly, trusted it in our heart. If we believe in our heart less than what we have learned, the Lord is never (!) to blame for any resultant confusion, heartache, misery, or apostasy.

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe [not simply ‘hear,’ but ‘believe!’]” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:47,48).

Hearing is Not Enough #9

Friday, January 13, 2023

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39 KJV).

Is hearing the Word of God enough?

By the time of Acts chapter 7, Israel’s one-year extension to repent and believe the Gospel of the Kingdom is nearly over (see Luke 13:6-9, noting “this year”  in verse 8 follows Christ’s “three years” of earthly ministry). Stephen recounts Israel’s long history of unbelief—climaxing in Jesus’ rejection and crucifixion. He winds down his sermon with the following: “[51] Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. [52] Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One [Christ Jesus]; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: [53] Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.”

Israel’s unbelieving leadership responds: “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth” (verse 54). Rather than admitting their sin, they proceeded to physically assault Stephen, yet the worst is to come! “[55] But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. [57] Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, [58] And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. [59] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. [60] And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” Yes, they heard the Word of God, but they did not receive it in faith, so it cost God’s preacher Stephen his life.

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Hearing is Not Enough #8

Thursday, January 12, 2023

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39 KJV).

Is hearing the Word of God enough?

Read Christ’s Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:2-9, and Luke 8:4-8. The interpretation or explanation is provided in Matthew 13:18-23, Mark 4:14-20, and Luke 8:11-15. Overall, four classes of people heard the Word of God (here, the Gospel of the Kingdom), but only the last category (a mere one-fourth of the audience!) actually received by faith that sound Bible doctrine. The other three were various types of lost souls—but who all heard the Word! Furthermore, after concluding the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautioned Israel not only to “hear” His words but “do” them (Matthew 7:24-26); He closed the Sermon on the Plain likewise (Luke 6:46-49).

A remarkable passage is Acts 24:24-27: “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.”

Roman Governor Felix heard the Gospel of Grace from the Apostle Paul himself—and literally shuddered when he realized he was a lost, Hell-bound sinner! Alas, Felix procrastinated, delaying to place his faith in what he had just heard about Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for his sins. For two years, he had more “Bible discussions” with Paul, and we can be absolutely certain Paul did all that he could to reach Felix (who, as it turned out, remained lost and kept Paul in chains!!). Like so many billions through the millennia, it was far better had Felix heard nothing from God, than to have heard so much from Him and yet believed none of it!

To reiterate, hearing the Word of God is insufficient….

Hearing is Not Enough #7

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39 KJV).

Is hearing the Word of God enough?

Romans chapter 10 is the Holy Spirit describing lost Israel in the Acts period, whether during Peter’s ministry or Paul’s ministry: “[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. [18] But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”

In Isaiah 53:1 (quoted in Romans 10:16), seven centuries before Acts, Israel had failed to believe the words of God that were written and preached to her. The Word of God was there, so faith (trust in that Word) should have also been present (but it was not!). “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Concerning Paul’s sermon to pagan Greeks in Athens, the Word of God was proclaimed, but there was no faith in the heart of these heathen listeners either! “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter” (Acts 17:30-32). These actually ridiculed Divine revelation!

The above souls heard sound Bible doctrine, but it did not benefit them because there was no positive response (faith)….