Colossians 1:24 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: (KJV)
Col 1:24 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, (ESV)
I have often considered this verse of Scripture and pondered just what does it mean? I realize that as Christ Jesus has suffered, if we identify with Him thru Salvation, we are to suffer as well. Does this mean, as individuals we will suffer? Or does it mean that the "Church" that we identify with will suffer as a Church? If so, where is the suffering Church? Certainly not in the USA, right?
Col 1:24 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, (ESV)
I have often considered this verse of Scripture and pondered just what does it mean? I realize that as Christ Jesus has suffered, if we identify with Him thru Salvation, we are to suffer as well. Does this mean, as individuals we will suffer? Or does it mean that the "Church" that we identify with will suffer as a Church? If so, where is the suffering Church? Certainly not in the USA, right?