Col 1:11 Being empowered with all power, according to the might of His glory, unto all endurance and long-suffering with joy, Phil 4:13 I am able to do all things in Him who empowers me.
This power is not only the power of Christ's resurrection (Phil. 3:10), but Christ Himself. Within us we have Christ as a dynamo that continually empowers us "according to the might of His glory." This is the might that expresses God's glory; it glorifies God in His might. With this might we are empowered. By Christ we are empowered "unto all endurance and longsuffering with joy." Because of this marvelous power, we can be joyful even in sufferings. By means of this power we can take with joy whatever may happen to us. We have reason to be joyful because we have the resurrected Christ as the power within us. If we are joyful during times of affliction, we shall not age so quickly. Instead, we shall look younger than our years. The Apostle Paul did not pray that the Colossians would have the best husbands or wives, the best houses, and the best jobs. Furthermore, he did not pray that the Colossians would be kept from suffering. To the contrary, he prayed that they would be empowered to all endurance and longsuffering with joy; that is, he prayed that they would have the capacity to suffer long with joy. To suffer long in joy is to endure suffering in Christ. Suffering may actually help us to have an increased enjoyment of Christ. Christ is the joy, the endurance, and the longsuffering. Therefore, Paul's prayer is altogether a prayer for the experience of Christ. (c) 2007 Living Stream Ministry.
Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of Colossians, pp. 22-23. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].
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