Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat

“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” (Colossians 1:24)

In Winston Churchill’s first speech as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, on the cusp of entering World War II, he pleaded for his country’s confidence in him with his speech “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat.” He said, “I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: ‘I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land, and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.”

These famous words, spoken by one of history’s greatest orators, have been firmly embedded in my mind over the past month. Since the beginning of the new year, it has been a challenge to embrace the level of hard work required to propel the church forward—now about twice the size it was just two years ago. Additionally, since we started a new movement on October 18th of last year, there have been numerous unexpected demands on our time. With all that said, I find myself appreciating Paul’s words to the church in Colossae now more than ever: “I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.”

*Nick was baptized in the York Region Campus Ministry!*

From one perspective, it is hard not to wince at the idea that there can be something “lacking” in regard to Christ’s afflictions. Jesus’ crucifixion is the foundation of everything in Christianity! Even Paul stated elsewhere that he did not preach with eloquence or human wisdom, but that he “resolved to know nothing… except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). So, how can there be anything lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions?

While we understand that it is through Jesus’ crucifixion that we have the gospel message, this does not mean that the message will automatically spread throughout the world. The gospel message still needs gospel messengers. For this reason, it is incumbent upon us to fill up in our flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, just as Paul did—with blood, toil, tears, and sweat!

*The George Brown girls baptizing Glezy!*

In the same passage, Paul goes on to say, “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end, I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me” (Colossians 1:28-29). As I considered this scripture over the past week, it occurred to me that although Paul’s aim was to present everyone (both Christian and non-Christian) fully mature in Christ, he would never actually achieve this ideal during his lifetime. No one can claim to be “fully” mature in Christ. We may grow and make enormous progress as disciples, but can we say we have perfected love? Perfected holiness? Perfected faith? No, these things remain elusive, and we must continually grow in these areas. This is true for us as individuals and even more so for any ministry. Yet, this is something Paul “strenuously” contended for.

*AJ is fired up even though he was baptized on a snowy day!*

It dawned on me that we often push ourselves to work hard as disciples, but subconsciously, we believe that the hard work stage is only temporary. We think that we will eventually reach a point where we no longer have to “strenuously contend,” and that things will be smooth sailing from there on out. This leads us to become impatient or even resentful when working with people, as we try to hurry through our tasks to reach this anticipated easy stage faster. Then, we stop rejoicing in the suffering of our hard work because we see it as a means to ease, rather than as a means to connect with the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Eventually, we get exasperated because the reprieve from our work doesn’t come—at least not in the way we thought it would.

*Dylan is doing a great job leading the George Brown Campus Ministry!*

The solution to this common misconception among Christians is to embrace the idea of “strenuously contending” as a lifestyle. Working hard to present everyone fully mature in Christ is not something we do; it is who we are. The work never stops. There will always be a need for discipling. There will always be new people to preach to. There will always be drama, hardship, and difficulties. Most challenging of all, it doesn’t really get easier as we go. If you are faithful with little, you will inevitably be given more (Matthew 25:21, 23). And if you are faithful with more, guess what comes next? Even more!

This may seem discouraging at first, but it shouldn’t be—unless you’ve bought into the false expectation that ease is just around the corner for you, and now your bubble is being burst for the first time. The biblical truth that strenuously contending is a never-ending battle is actually quite encouraging when you think about it. It is often our false expectations that lead us into the deserts of disappointment and discouragement, while there is great serenity and peace in surrendering to the blood, toil, tears, and sweat it takes to “fill up in [our] flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions.” After all, Jesus gave His blood. He even sweated it out (Luke 22:44). He shed His tears for us, and He toiled until His work on earth was finished (John 19:30). How could we think that we could do it any differently?

Paul concludes this section of scripture by saying, “…with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” As I reflected on this passage, I was encouraged. It occurred to me that although Paul understood his life would never be easy, and that he would have to “strenuously contend,” he also believed that God would give him all the energy he needed. So, in a sense, the task would never be easy, but with the energy Christ provided him, it would become easier!

*The Single brothers celebrate with DeJaun after his baptism!*

My admonition to the Toronto Church, as we literally labor through hundreds of Bible studies, is to stay in the grind. And more than that, let’s embrace the grind, and rejoice in it! For not only is it a sure path to victory (Galatians 6:9), but we are simply bringing to completion the task that Jesus started on the cross all those years ago at Calvary! So, like Paul, let us “strenuously contend,” let us “fill up in our flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,” and let us labor “with all the energy that Christ so powerfully works in [us].” And to God be all the glory!