Colossians 1:26-29
Throughout history, God has raised up faithful servants who endured hardship for the sake of the gospel. One such man was Adoniram Judson. Born in Malden, Massachusetts, Judson was a brilliant scholar who abandoned his faith for a time but was later convicted and called to missions. Inspired by William Carey, he set sail for India in 1812 but ultimately ended up in Burma (modern-day Myanmar), a land with no believers and intense persecution for those who converted from Buddhism to Christianity.
His journey was anything but easy. It took six years for him to see his first convert. He endured the death of his wife and children, brutal imprisonment, and unimaginable suffering. Yet he never wavered. Over forty years, he translated the Bible into Burmese, compiled the first Burmese-English dictionary, and planted over 100 churches. When he died in 1845, there were 200,000 believers in Burma. Today, that number has grown to over two million within the Myanmar Baptist Convention.
What compelled Judson to press on? It was the same truth that drove the Apostle Paul in Colossians 1:26-29—the mystery revealed, the mission given, and the might that sustains us.
The Kingdom for Us – The Mystery Revealed (Colossians 1:26-27)
Paul speaks of a mystery once hidden but now revealed—the glorious reality that Christ dwells in His people. The Old Testament foretold the coming of the Messiah, but the full extent of God’s plan was not made known until Christ’s arrival. Not only would the Messiah come, but He would live within His redeemed people (Isaiah 49:6; 2 Corinthians 6:16).
This is not a secret for a selected few. It is a revelation for all who will believe. The gospel message is not exclusive—it is inclusive of all who come to Christ in faith (Ephesians 3:6).
Yet, do we live in awe of this revealed mystery? Or do we take it for granted? Judson grasped the weight of this truth and devoted his life to making it known. If we truly understand what it means to belong to Christ, it should radically shape our lives.
The Kingdom Through Us – The Mission That Drives Us (Colossians 1:28)
Paul declares that Christ is the message, and maturity in Him is the goal. The task of every believer is proclamation—not with worldly wisdom, but with the wisdom of God (James 3:17).
In our modern age, there is a temptation to edit the gospel to make it more palatable. But our job is not to change the message; it is to echo it. The truth remains the same, no matter how culture shifts.
Consider the lighthouse. It does not adjust its light to suit the waves—it remains firm, guiding ships to safety. Likewise, we must stand firm in the message of Christ.
Are we faithful in proclaiming Christ, or do we soften the truth for the sake of comfort? Whether through our words, actions, or work, we must ensure that we are not diluting the gospel but declaring it boldly.
The Kingdom Through Him – The Might That Sustains Us (Colossians 1:29)
Paul labored tirelessly, yet he recognized that his strength came not from himself but from God. His prayers and ministry were empowered by divine strength, not human effort (Colossians 4:12).
Some fall into one of two extremes—either striving in their own strength or sitting idly, expecting God to do everything. But Scripture makes it clear: we cannot accomplish God’s work without Him, and He chooses to work through us (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
Judson did not endure because of sheer willpower. He endured because he relied fully on the might of Christ. If we are to be faithful in the mission, we too must draw from His strength.
Conclusion: The Call to Action
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus left His disciples with a final command:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
This is our calling. The gospel is for us (Jerusalem), for those near us (Judea and Samaria), and for those far from us (the remotest part of the earth).
Colossians 1:26-29 is not just a theological statement. It is a call to action. It drove Paul. It drove Adoniram Judson. The question is—will it drive us?
Let us not be content with a comfortable, commonplace Christianity. Let us press forward, knowing that the mystery has been revealed, the mission is clear, and the might of Christ sustains us.