Striving With His Energy

Colossians 1:28-29, AMP

“Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that we may present every person mature (full-grown, fully initiated, complete, and perfect) in Christ (the Anointed One). 29 For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.”

In verse 27, Paul had disclosed the mystery which is “Christ in you the hope of Glory”. Then, Paul summarizes here, in verse 28, the responsibilities we all share after we come to faith in Christ. What a marvelous truth he uses to introduce us to the things we can and should do in Christ Jesus.

As we have discovered in the last several days’ devotionals, Paul knows it is not in his own power that he is who he is in Christ, and here today he tells us how he does it. Surely, he worked hard to advance the Gospel, and to disciple those who were coming into faith in the cities where he traveled.

He says he labors unto weariness and strives, but it is not by his human energy or wisdom, but by the superhuman energy kindled within him by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is how he is able to proclaim the Gospel; and, warn, admonish and instruct in wisdom those he wants to help to mature in Christ Jesus.

Let us follow his example to labor and strive by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not our own human energy.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Ask the Father to help you set aside your own works, and submit, rather, to the work of the Holy Spirit in and through you.

Dive Deeper: Study Colossians 1.