So much of our lives are spent struggling for ourselves. We spend our time working, paying bills, taking care of the home, and just getting through the day, so we can do it all over again tomorrow. When this is the way we live, our focus is on ourselves, not others. I know so many who go through life this way. They just want to get through today, so they can make tomorrow happen. When tomorrow comes they face the same thought process. Then, at the end of the week when there’s a little leftover from the paycheck, it’s time to go out and relieve the stress built up during the week. Again, our thoughts and actions are about us. We struggle, but not for others, we are in such a routine of survival, that we rarely look around to see what we can do for others, or how they may be struggling. God never intended for us to live self-centered lives.
Paul, in Colossians 2:1-5 talks about the great conflict he feels for the church. The word conflict in Greek means struggle, it is where we get our word agony. Paul is struggling for the churches at Colosse and Laodicea. Note, he was not concerned for their physical wellbeing, but their spiritual wellbeing. His goal was for all to know Christ as a mature believer, having a bond with one another in deep love, and as a believer, he felt bonded to them through Jesus Christ. He longed for them to know Christ in a deeply personal way. His struggle was for them to understand the indwelling of Christ, that they might realize, with Christ they can do all that God intended for them.
In Philippians 4:13, all believers can do all things through Christ that lives within us. He knew they were living in a culture where the gospel would be perverted if they were not wise about making decisions. These churches were exposed to pagan gods and were in danger of those that taught false doctrine.
Col 2:1-5 “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.”
Do you know what it feels like to struggle for other Christians? To beg God on their behalf to help them understand the indwelling Spirit, that will guide them to success in their walk with God. Our desire should be that they would be comforted and encouraged. So that they might be united in love with other believers, and understand all the riches at their disposal, because of their relationship with Christ. Struggling for others will mean being vulnerable. It will mean that we are putting ourselves out there to know them in a personal relationship. We can know how to pray for them and help them when we know what is going on in their hearts. We need to struggle in prayer for them. Praying God would not only give them the wisdom to live an abundant Christian life, but wisdom for ourselves to guide them in that direction. It may mean investing in them financially, having them over for a meal, seeking to know their needs, and helping them to meet their needs. It will mean that everything you do is based on the word of God. We are to bring them to the word to teach, correct, rebuke, and train them in righteousness.
When was the last time you labored in prayer for someone to make the biblical choice in a situation? Knowing that if they would just step out in faith, God would meet them and bless them for it. We are fearful to give advice because we fear rejection. Sometimes we are fearful because we ourselves are not studying the Word and praying, and therefore we don’t feel confident in leading others. It takes a deeper love to help others see the truth than to keep silent. So many times, I’ve wanted to wave a red flag and scream, “hey can’t you see the big picture, can’t you see where this action could take you?” Yet, I didn’t. Sometimes, it was because I didn’t know them well enough to expect them to listen, and other times, because I feared their rejection.
What’s holding you back from being able to really help others to be all they can be for Christ? Is it knowledge or wisdom, if so God can supply that with study and prayer. Is it fear of rejection? If so, pray and ask God to give you the right words, and to soften their heart to listen. Fear of telling the truth is not of God, so don’t let it rule.
How much closer would our brothers and sisters in Christ be if we struggled for them as Paul did? What a difference it would make if we were all seeking to help each other become mature believers.
