Colossians 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body, which is the church. Matthew 16:18 ...I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
We need to follow the early apostles in making up the lack of Christ's afflictions for the church. We also need to share in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings for the building up of the church. The goal of our Christian work must be the building up of the church.
[For example,] what is our goal in preaching the gospel? It is not simply to save sinners from hell. It is to obtain material for the building up of the Body of Christ.
However, if we take the building of the Body as the goal of gospel preaching, we must be prepared to suffer, even to be opposed and persecuted. The reason for this is that the matter of the church stirs up the authority of darkness. Therefore, those who stand for the church must be prepared for the attack of the enemy.
[Matt. 16:18] indicates that the gates of Hades, the power of darkness, will do everything possible to frustrate the building up of the church. Praise the Lord that He has promised that the gates of Hades will not prevail!
If we are faithful and honest with respect to the Lord's ministry and the stewardship of God for the building up of the church, we shall suffer attack, opposition, and evil speaking. In this way we fill up what is lacking of the afflictions of Christ for the sake of the church.