Woe for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Care Oriented Education

Paul’s Pastoral Ministry:  
 
Scripture: Col 1:24-29

vs 25   " Whereof I was made a minister according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfill  the word of God

Paul is rejoicing in the suffering that comes to him from the pastoral ministry.   He considers the hardships he suffers on behalf of the people helps to enter into the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings.  In 2Cor 1:5 he states “as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, we share abundantly in comfort too”.
    The suffering also benefited him to sympathize with the fellow believers when they suffered and also testify to them the comfort he experienced at the hand of God during afflictions.  Having received peace through the blood of His cross, the ministry is to offer this to others for acceptance.  In the fulfillment of that ministry, there would afflictions and that is sharing what the master received.  Paul remained passionately attached and cheerfully committed to the vocation of service and suffering.  
    Paul considered that it is his responsibility exercising his special apostleship to the Gentiles, among whom the Colossians were included.  Colossians were one of the beneficiaries of Paul’s apostolic commission even though he never visited them in person. Paul states in Gal. 1:15-16 that “(God) was pleased to reveal His Son in me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles.”
    Paul assures the Colossians the revealed mystery that “Christ is in you”.  This phrase “in you” implies both in our community and personally within us and that is the hope of glory.  The presentation of everyone perfect or fully grown in Christ is the greater goal that Paul strived to achieve.  Paul feels energized with His energy to labor for this great goal.
 
                                                          PRAYER

O lord helps us to grab the truth, peak the truth and teach others the truth. Make us wise Lord with your wisdom so that we can be successful in this world  and live according to your will. Amen
                                                
                                 Thought for the Day- Application
 Paul is sharing to the world the internal commitment he has achieved through his personal encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road, the divine inspiration he received, affirmations on divine providence from experiences, and the consequential pastoral zeal to minster.  He was truly and exemplary pastor both internally and externally and strived for excellence in ministry regardless of dangers and afflictions.  We all have a certain level of pastoral role in our zone of influence that could be part time or full time and we should see St. Paul as an absolute standard.

             Thomas Koshy The Mar Thoma Church of Greater Washington

                      Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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