In Colossians 1, Paul has established the preeminence of Christ.  There can be no doubt about the greatness of our Savior.  This knowledge, however, must be applied.  Recognizing the preeminence of Christ only does us good if we acknowledge it in our own endeavors in life.  Paul clearly did this.

The Lordship of Christ was the heartbeat of Paul’s life and ministry.  Ever since he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, realizing that this Jesus of Nazareth was really who He said He was—the Son of God, Paul’s mission in life was to serve Him, and he knew that the work that he did was really the work of Christ working through him (Colossians 1:29).

Paul closes this great chapter on the preeminence of Christ by speaking about his own ministry and the part that Jesus plays in it.  The suffering that Paul endured, along with the attitude that he possessed when forced to experience trials, was a testimony to his acknowledgment of Jesus’ preeminence.  For Paul, it was an honor to suffer for Christ and His body.  

Colossians 1:24 (ESV)
²⁴  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,

Paul rejoiced in suffering because he knew for whom he was suffering.  He was suffering for the church, in this case, for the Gentile element in the body of Christ.  That was his commission, and it was for fulfilling that commission that Paul was presently a prisoner in Rome.  To Paul suffering for the body was a part of identifying himself with Christ.

Philippians 3:10 (ESV)
¹⁰  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 

When Paul wrote of what was “lacking in Christ’s afflictions,” he was not questioning the sufficiency of our Lord’s suffering.  By dying on the cross, Jesus offered a sacrifice that was all-sufficient (Hebrews 7:27).  Paul is merely asserting that since Christ can no longer suffer for the body of Christ, he will fill what is lacking by suffering in his place.  Since Christ suffered for him, it is only reasonable that he be willing to suffer for Christ.  Why was Paul so willing to suffer?  It was because he knew Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:11-12 (ESV)
¹¹  for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, ¹²  which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

The ministry of Paul is an open testimony of his belief in the preeminence of Christ.  He obeyed Christ even if it meant suffering for the cause.  In fact, he was glad to suffer for Jesus and felt like all Christians should be honored to do so (Philippians 1:29).

Colossians 1 is all about the preeminent in all things—in the gospel, in redemption, in creation, and in the church; but, Paul shows us that if we truly believe this to be so, He will be preeminent in our lives as well.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.