Introduction

Most Christian denominations have some ideas on what they think God expects from them.  Much like a secular organisation, they typically use this understanding to develop vision statements, strategies, goals and objectives for growth of their particular denomination.  They organise governance structures to globally, nationally and regionally manage the cascading of responsibility down to local pastors and congregations, for delivering the denominational vision.  

This delegated responsibility is what drives the local pastor’s annual plan and informs their sermons, using scripture wherever they can, to motivate the congregation to give their money and time to one initiative after another.  For them, success is measured, not by faithfulness to God’s word, but by the degree to which they achieve denominational goals for growth.  

It is a sad fact that, while many church leaders claim the Bible as their authority, most don’t even know about the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, given to the apostle Paul, let alone the requirement to be faithful stewards of the mysteries of God.

Why have vision and mission statements?

There are many examples of church vision and mission statements.  From the largest international denominations, right down to the local church, it’s common practice to publish bite-sized statements on the church’s ambition, or vision for the future, and how they aim to achieve it.  They see this as necessary to guide the direction of the church, inspire the congregation to participate in work and giving, and to attract and retain new members who identify with their vision.

In this study, we will present scriptures to show the gospel of our salvation, which Christ revealed to the apostle Paul, as well as the instructions which Christ gave for his church in this age of grace.  

God intended that it would be a church in which all would be of one mind and of the same judgment, perfectly joined together in love as one body.  For this purpose, Christ revealed the doctrine of salvation for today, as the only means for entrance to the church which is his body.  Furthermore, Christ provided, through the epistles of the apostle Paul,  instruction, admonition and correction to members of the one-body of Christ, so there would be no divisions among them.

God didn’t intend for multiple vision statements, mission statements and statements of faith, each with subtle and often profound differences.  Nor did he intend for multiple denominations.  In God’s eyes, there is only one true church today, into which each and every member is baptised by the holy Spirit.  This spiritual sealing of a person in Christ’s body, is a result of having heard and believed that he died for our sins, was buried and raised again the third day, for our justification. This is God’s account of the only way to become a member of his church today.

In the church which is Christ’s body, he intends no doctrinal divisions, but that members would learn and grow according to the doctrine he provided for them; and to avoid those who preach contrary doctrine.

• Romans 16:17-18 KJV  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.  (18)  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

If we say we sincerely believe God and that his word is the truth, then it’s incumbent to study and rightly divide the word of truth, learning God's instruction for us, and avoiding those who deceive by contrary doctrine.

Sadly, denominational visions and plans for church growth are rarely based on a sound understanding of God’s will and plan for mankind in this age of grace.  That might initially seem incredulous, but scripture teaches how so-called ministers of righteousness blind people to the life-saving simplicity of the gospel of Christ.  

Fundamentally flawed vision and mission statements may contain good words, that guide fair speeches and sermons; but, as we’ve just read in Romans 16:17-18 KJV, this is the means by which the hearts of the simple are deceived.

God has given us his word, that we might study and be perfected by it, and that by rightly dividing his word of truth, we might be able to discern and avoid contrary teaching. 

The church is not a man-made organisation

While many churches operate like a business, setting financial and growth targets, creating governance structures, executing marketing programmes and measuring performance against targets, we find none of that in God’s word.  

Instead, the Bible does not advocate denominations but calls for unity in the body of Christ, and gives clear instruction on the only way to become a member.  Furthermore, it teaches God’s plan for the church, both here on earth and in heaven.

Spiritual membership of the church

If we trust in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection as payment for our sins, we are baptised by the Holy Spirit, into the body of Christ.  It is important to clearly understand that this is the organisation to which we belong, not Old or New Testament Israel, or a man-made denomination that mixes various bible doctrines according to their own understanding and preferences. We are saved by, and stand in, the truth of the gospel that Christ delivered to Paul, as declared in the Bible.

• 1Co 15:1-4  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  (2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  (3)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Each and every saved person is baptized by the one Spirit of God into the one body of Christ.  It is only by this spiritual transaction, which takes place upon believing the gospel, that an individual can become a member of the church which is Christ’s body.

• 1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
  The need to rightly divide the word of truth

As we study the bible to find out what God’s will is and how we should live as members of his church, the body of Christ, we must take heed of his instruction to rightly divide the word of truth.

• 2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Unless we rightly divide the word of truth, we can mix together doctrine which God intended to be kept separate. As a consequence, both the only means of salvation, and God's instruction for a life of Christian service in the body of Christ, will be confused, and contrary to God’s will for mankind today.

The head of the church, the body of Christ

We are not answerable to the fallible leadership of a denomination, but to the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour and the head of the body, the church.  

• Col 1:15-18  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:  (16)  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (17)  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.  (18)  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Jesus Christ is God, creator of heaven and earth, not some fallible “super CEO”.  We are not part of an earthly organisation that makes up its own goals, culture, activities and performance targets, even if they appear to be based on “biblical principles”.  

God has revealed his will, that he would have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. 

• 1Ti 2:3-4  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  (4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Christ is the head over all things to the church, which is his body.      

• Eph 1:22-23  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,  (23)  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

As Christians, members of Christ’s body, our goals should be perfectly aligned with his. Otherwise we would not be operating according to the will of God and may, in fact, be working in direct opposition.  Yes, it is possible that a minister of righteousness could be working in direct opposition to God.

• 2Co 11:13-15  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  (14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  (15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Importance of knowing the gospel of Christ

The most important requirement for alignment with God’s will is to know and believe the gospel of Christ, as this is the only means of salvation in this age of grace.  Sadly, even from the time of Paul, there were those who would pervert the gospel of Christ, creating what he calls another gospel, which is not another.

• Gal 1:6-7  I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:  (7)  Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

The purity of the simple gospel of Christ is of such critical importance, because in adding or taking away from it, the result is another gospel, which is not a gospel at all.  That importance is reflected in Paul’s warning to the Galatians.

• Gal 1:8-9  But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  (9)  As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

That firm stance, as a faithful minister and steward of the mysteries of God, brought Paul into conflict with many men; but he knew the importance, so did not compromise in order to please men.  If he had done so, he would not have been the servant of Christ.

• Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Such deception can be very subtle, so Paul had real concerns for the believers, such as at Corinth.

• 2Co 11:3-4  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  (4)  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

It’s not that the Galatian’s salvation was in doubt, but Paul’s labour would have been in vain, if they reverted to observing elements of the law, such as the observance of holy days.  

• Gal 4:10-11  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.  (11)  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

By keeping parts of the law, they would no longer be able to communicate the simplicity of grace by faith, without the works of the law.

• Gal 2:21  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

To consider performance of any works as playing any part in our justification, in our right standing (righteousness) before God, is to have rejected and fallen from belief in the sufficiency of Christ’s death as full payment for sins; which he alone accomplished by his grace.

• Gal 5:4-5  Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.  (5)  For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Devastating consequences of a false gospel

No matter how well-intentioned or zealous, preaching a false gospel is contrary to God’s will, and has devastating eternal consequences.  

In fact, even if taken directly from the Bible, preaching a gospel today that was intended for Israel, such as repent and be baptised for the remission of sins, causes confusion and blinds people’s minds to the light of the glorious gospel of Christ. 

• 2Co 4:3-4  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  (4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Rather than being in God’s will, a minister of righteousness who preaches another gospel, other than the one which Christ delivered to the Apostle Paul, is actually doing the work of Satan.

• 2Co 11:14-15  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  (15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Bought with a price, to serve God

How wonderful to have heard and believed the gospel, to know our sins are forgiven and that we have eternal life in Christ.  Our natural response should be one of thankfulness and desire to serve God.   But where do we start – the only safe way to find out is directly from God’s own word, rather than by committing our lives to a man-made denominational church program.  

Firstly, as we consider what it means to serve our Lord Jesus, we would do well to remember that we are bought with a price and therefore our body and spirit are God’s.

• 1Co 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The price he paid was in his own shed blood, forgiving us all our sins and redeeming us from the curse of the law. 

• Gal 3:13  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
• 2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
• Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

What response then is reasonable, considering the great mercies that God has shown towards us?

• Rom 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

How to be transformed and empowered to serve God 

We need not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so we can prove (discern) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.  

So, it is not just a case of saying, now I’m saved I know how to serve God.  We have to put off the old man and put on the new man, renewed in knowledge; and we must apply that knowledge in our lives.   

There are many scriptures which teach us what it means to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Scriptures such as these are our spiritual daily food. For example:

• Col 3:5-11  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  (6)  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:  (7)  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.  (8)  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  (9)  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;  (10)  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:  (11)  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
• Col 3:12-15  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  (13)  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.  (14)  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.  (15)  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
• Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
• Eph 4:17-32  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  (18)  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  (19)  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.  (20)  But ye have not so learned Christ;  (21)  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  (22)  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  (23)  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  (24)  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  (25)  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  (26)  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  (27)  Neither give place to the devil.  (28)  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  (29)  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  (30)  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  (31)  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  (32)  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

We need to take on board these and many other scriptures, to be as God would have us: prepared for our reasonable service.

God’s definition of reasonable service

We know it is God’s will that all men be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth.  But it might come as a surprise to learn what this means in terms of the behaviour and character we are to put on, the activities (good works) that are required of us and the indicators that tell us whether or not we are on the right track.

The following teaching, which Paul gave to the Corinthians, will be hard for most people because it presents a clear description of what it actually means to be a follower of Paul, even as he followed Christ.  The contrasts presented are not meant to shame us, but are given by Paul as a warning that applies equally to us, today.

• 1Co 4:14  I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

The truth is crystal clear and exposes the depths of our hearts, whether we genuinely love and have faith in what’s written in God’s word or if we prefer a comfortable life, caring more about how we are perceived by men.

In 1 Cor 4, Paul describes what it is really like to be minsters of Christ and faithful stewards of the mysteries of God.  He wanted them to learn a vital lesson, one which is just as relevant today: that no one of you be puffed up for one man against another, thinking of men above that which is written.  

What is written in the Bible for our instruction is, by far, more important than what men think; even though the truth of God’s word is foolishness and offensive to the world.  These Corinthian babes in Christ looked to and coveted each other’s status according to worldly criteria, rather than according to their faithfulness to the mysteries to which they’d been entrusted.  To them, the great gifts of knowledge, healing, prophecy etc., looked like confirmation of success, whereas being reviled and persecuted seemed like evidence of failure; of being on the wrong track.

Perhaps they had not yet learned that suffering, persecution and rejection comes as part and parcel in being a faithful ambassador of Christ, someone who preaches the simplicity of salvation by trusting in Christ’s death on the cross as payment for sins. 

Or maybe they just loved their comfortable lifestyles more than the persecution that comes to all who live godly in Christ Jesus, who understand the unique saving power of the gospel of Christ, and therefore stand as stewards of the mysteries of God, boldly defending his word of truth, despite the inevitable persecution.  

It seems the Corinthians judged Paul according to what the world would deem successful; what he calls man’s judgement.

• 1Co 4:3  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

He wanted them to know that it is the Lord who will judge when he returns, and that he will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.  He won’t judge according to material riches or status in a denominational church system, but according to his written word.  God can see men’s motives: if they prefer his word and his approval, or the comfort of this world and men’s approval.

• 1Co 4:4-5  For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.  (5)  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

1 Cor 4:1-16 contrasts the Corinthian church behaviour with the mind of Christ in Paul and Apollos, and it gives an account of what it means to be a minister of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God.  

• 1Co 4:1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Not only do we need to read and understand the difference between prophecy and mystery, but to be good stewards, we must be found faithful.

• 1Co 4:2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

In other words, we must not be ashamed but truly believe and be established by what we read concerning the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery.

• Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
• Rom 16:25  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Faithful ministers or Corinthian-style Christians?

The Corinthians, who Paul wrote to, gloried in their status and what they possessed, rather than acknowledging that anything they had, they received.  They were full (not hungry), rich and reigning as kings. 

Before describing his contrasting life, the account of what it really means to be ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries, Paul addressed the topic of reigning as kings.

• 1Co 4:8  Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

Paul and Apollos didn’t want to reign like the Corinthians, puffed up by their worldly status and riches.  The reign that Paul wished for the Corinthians, and all believers, comes through suffering for the sake of the gospel. 

• 2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

In this account of 1 Cor 4, as in other places, we see suffering as part and parcel of the life of a true servant of Christ. In fact, persecution could be seen as a measure of whether or not we are living godly in Christ Jesus, because scripture says all that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.  This is what Paul explains to the Thessalonians.

• 2Ti 3:10-12  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,  (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.  (12)  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

This does not sound like the life of the Corinthians nor, if we are honest, does it sound anything like the life that most professing Christians live today. Yet Paul warned the Corinthians: 

• 1Co 4:16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

He was teaching them (and now us) about the way we should follow Christ in this age of grace:

• 1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

To the Philippians, he wrote not just to be followers of him and Timothy, as their example of how to walk, but that there were enemies of the cross of Christ whose God was their belly, who were puffed up and gloried in their shame and minded or cared more about earthly things.

• Php 3:17-19  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.  (18)  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  (19)  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

In the eyes of men, at least some of the Corinthian Christians were seen as wise in Christ, strong and honourable, whereas Paul and Apollos were despised as weak fools.  

• 1Co 4:9-10  For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.  (10)  We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.  

But these Corinthians were puffed up with pride, and were not following Paul’s example as a minister of Christ and faithful steward of the mysteries of God.  One was of Apollos, another of Cephas and another of Christ; they were lacking in unity and did not all speak the same thing; there was gross immorality among them, plus many other faults for which Paul had to admonish them, such as lacking in Charity, not considering other members of the body who were hungry, failing to keep commitments to send money to the poor saints at Jerusalem, taking one another to court to settle disputes etc..  Yet, they were rich in money and perceived as wise and strong, according to man’s judgement.  

Churches and individuals today also want to be perceived as rich and successful, wise and strong according to man’s judgement.  But neither the Corinthian church, nor any man-made denomination, are our pattern.  By following the instructions which Christ gave Paul for the church today, we will put off the old man, put on the new, be renewed in the spirit of our minds, bear fruit of the spirit and be able to serve God in truth.  

We will also be prepared for the consequences of following Paul as our pattern, trusting in God’s all-sufficient grace, because suffering, persecution and hardship are certain companions.  

• 1Co 4 :11-16  Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;  (12)  And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:  (13)  Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.  (14)  I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.  (15)  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  (16)  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.  (17)  For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

Our biblical pattern for serving Christ

To be a servant of Christ in this age of grace, means to follow Paul, even as he followed Christ.

• 1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Don’t look for men’s approval in an attempt to avoid being reviled (abused and insulted), persecuted (ill-treated and victimised), defamed (slandered and having character assassinated) and treated as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things (rejected by society). Do we seek to please men or God, for if we please men, we are not the servants of Christ.

• Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Despite the persecution, hardship and uncertainly that comes with following Paul’s example, we are promised that the God of peace shall be with us.

• Php 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

We also see that that God’s grace is sufficient, and Paul was even able to glory in his infirmities because he understood that Christ’s strength was made perfect in weakness. 

• 2Co 12:9-10  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.  (10)  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. 

No man could, of their own wisdom or strength, live a life of service like the Apostle Paul, suffering so many times, and so greatly, for the sake of the gospel of Christ.   Consider the following – not the sort of list you’d expect to see as credentials for a popular minister of Christ today:

• 2Co 11:23-28  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.  (24)  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.  (25)  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;  (26)  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;  (27)  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.  (28)  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

Yet, God’s word is clear; we are to be followers of Paul, even as he was of Christ.  Clearly, we cannot do this by our own wisdom and strength.  

Firstly, we must be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so we know how it is we are supposed to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing.  With that spiritual understand we can be fruitful in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God.   

As persecution and hardship will surely come, this is where we can rely on God’s glorious power and might, to strengthen us unto all patience and longsuffering, even with joyfulness !!  This is hard to imagine, but it is exactly what Paul prayed for the Colossians, so it is a prayer we can and should make to God for each other, today.

• Col 1:9-11  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;  (11)  Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;