I think – and I could be wrong – this will be my last post on Colossians 1:15-23.

This awesome portion of Scripture closes out with the Apostle Paul saying, “And of which I, Paul, became a minister.”  I struggle trying to imagine the expression that had to be on Paul’s face when he wrote this!

Paul just finished pumping up Christ; talking about Jesus’ centrality in the universe and the amazing story of the Father reconciling all things to himself through Jesus.  But instead of leaving the story on a cosmic, somewhat distant level, Paul reels it in to himself.  Paul says that this Christ and this incredible reconciliation story (made possible through Christ) is the message that he personally shares in and declares.

What I have trouble getting over is that GOD LETS US PARTICIPATE IN THE GOSPEL.  God lets us all become ministers for the sake of the name of Jesus becoming famous!  The story doesn’t stop with our salvation or our spiritual growth.  No. Instead it is a story that goes on and on and on.  The same message that impacted our lives we tell and show to others.  It’s the never ending story! 

Probably no other passage of Scripture captures this idea than 2 Corinthians 5:18-6:1.  PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE READ THIS and let God speak to your heart like he is mine.

“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.  Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”

We get to participate in God’s work!  When we share and show the gospel, we get a first row seat to experience God in action – the reconciliation story is displayed before our very eyes!  This encourages me but also makes me kinda tear up.

How often do I take being a Christian and being able to share the gospel for granted?  With these passages from above I should always be humbled by the fact that my Lord permits me to participate in his unique work.  The Great Commission is less a commandment than it is a privilege!