“Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Col. 1:29).
The word translated “striving” (Col. 1:29) is from the word meaning “to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers; to endeavor with strenuous zeal, strive” (Thayer, p. 10). Paul believed in what he was doing. There was no quit in him when it came to his work. He would put forth his full strength into whatever he could to do to see that the cause of Christ prospered. Sometimes when looking back on a lack of success in an endeavor, there are indications of a lack of effort as the root cause. It is not that the cause was not noble. It is not that the participants did not know what their job was. It comes down to not putting forth the effort to see the job done well. Consider three spiritual causes that are worth putting forth the effort.
- Entering into the Strait Gate. Luke wrote of Jesus’ words, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” (Luke 13:24). Matthew wrote of Jesus’ words, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:13,14). Jesus is realistically proclaiming that the way to heaven is difficult and not a path that the majority of people will follow. Some will not attempt to try the life of a Christian. Some will begin and find it not to their liking only to fall away (cf. Luke 8:13). While heaven is a highly desirable eternal destination, putting forth the effort is a challenge some will not accept.
- Endeavoring Together for the Faith of the Gospel. Paul wrote, “Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” (Phil. 1:27). The unity of the church in the spiritual work of the church is worth putting forth the effort. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3). The pleasantness and beauty of unity in the greatest cause on earth is truly worth the effort (cf. Ps. 133:1).
- Exerting the Energy to Receive the Incorruptible Crown. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Cor. 9:25). Temperance involves the self-discipline to hold oneself accountable. Running the race (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24) to receive the crown demands the best effort of the runner. While some may cheer and support in every way, it is still the case “For every man shall bear his own burden” (Gal. 6:5). As the old Olympic athletes trained hard every day to reach their goal, so is it the case with the Christian. Paul stated, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). The judgment on “that day” (2 Tim. 1:12) with eternal consequences (cf. Matt. 25:46) makes striving in the effort worthwhile.
Jimmy Clark