Colossians 1:28-29 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Here Paul expresses the what, why, and how of his ministry. Naturally, this should be a model for everyone who is called to minister the Gospel. The “what” is proclaiming Christ, teaching and admonishing with all wisdom. Any minister who relies on their own wisdom will quickly fall flat on their face, because this requires God’s wisdom. Thankfully, He has promised to provide that for those who ask. (James 1:5) As James points out, if we are constantly in doubt over whether we are operating in God’s wisdom, we won’t get anything done at all. However the other side of that is that conceit is a dangerous thing. What is called for is humble, submitted assurance. The “why” of all this is to present everyone mature in Christ. This goes back to the Great Commission of making disciples. Christians aren’t called to generate pew warmers! That’s why the “what” is both teaching and admonishing. Spiritual children need discipline just as much as physical children. Just as physical parents rejoice to see their children become mature, responsible adults, those who proclaim Christ have that same joy when their spiritual children grow to be active disciples. All of this would be incomplete without the “how,” because objective analysis shows that doing this consistently is beyond human ability. Paul is clear that it involves hard work, but the power ultimately comes from God. Any servant of God has to be willing for God’s power to work through them, because obvious miracles are the exception rather than the rule. Just as with wisdom, we have to walk the line between conceit and apathy. God will work through us, and we can’t possibly do it on our own, but we have to be available as His instruments, getting in there and being the physical expression of what He is doing.

This could hardly be more applicable, or more timely. I can see that God is indeed doing very good things in this church, but I’m not to sit back and watch it happen. Rather, I’m to be an active participant, applying the time and energy that He provides. If I think that energy has to come from me, I’ll give up before I start! I’ve got to submit to God and resist the devil, not just occasionally but all the time, so that I personally and this church as a whole may break through the barriers the devil tries to erect with his lies, and walk in the glorious fruitfulness God desires of and for us.

Father, thank You for this strong, encouraging Word this morning. Help me internalize and apply it properly, not just saying it was a good word but making it mine by application. Thank You for the message You’ve given me for this morning. I pray that Your Spirit would speak it through me as I open my mouth. May each one who hears, in person or electronically, receive a revelation of their value in Your sight, so that together we may rise up as a mighty army, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!