Last week, we finished chapter 1 of the Book of Colossians! Let’s review quickly: Paul begins with a typical introduction and commends the believers in Colossae for their faith, hope, and love, he then prays for the believers in Colossae, next he explains the outcome of the Gospel – believers have been rescued and transferred. Because of the previous truth, Paul breaks out in praise for who Jesus is and what He has done. Finally, Paul reveals the mystery that was formerly hidden, ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory!’ There is much truth in chapter 1 for us to ponder. My prayer is that you will continue to go back to Colossians 1 and let the inspired words of God keep penetrating your heart. Now, let’s read the first 6 verses of chapter 2:
“1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. 5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicingto see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
Notice, Paul is agonizing in prayer for the people of Colossae and Laodicea (nearby town) and for all the people who have not seen his face. This is one of the most convicting things to me about Paul’s writings – his prayer life! He is struggling in prayer for people whom he has never even seen. He has a desire for them to understand who Christ is and how they can walk in Him. This makes me think about my own wife, kids, parents, family, and friends – do I have a desire for them to really understand the Gospel and how to live from the Gospel? Am I always agonizing in pray for them? I am just going to reflect on that for a day or two and write the rest of this devotion later this week. See you in a few days…
Well, I am back. I just got a text from a friend who is going through a difficult situation. He asked me to pray for him. His prayer request was basically that that the Holy Spirit inside of him would control him. I almost broke out in tears when I read it. He has a desire in a very difficult situation to be controlled by the Holy Spirit! Christ in my friend, the hope of glory! The desire of my heart is to live like that!
Paul tells us in verse 4 not to be deluded (deceived) with persuasive arguments (we will talk more about this next week). Verse 5 has Paul telling the believers in Colossae that he wants to rejoice; to see their perseverance in their walk with Christ. Well, the question is, how does that stability and good discipline continue? Look with me at the beginning of verse 6: “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him…” Don’t miss this… read it again “Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.” Did you catch it? How did we receive Christ – by faith! So, how do we walk in Christ – by faith! In verses 2 and 3, Paul prays that the believers would understand the true knowledge of God’s mystery – Christ Himself – in Christ are hidden ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! Do you believe (have faith) that you have Christ’s wisdom and knowledge at your disposal to help you through difficult situations (Christ in you, the hope of glory)? Peter would say it like this in 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
My friends, if you are believer in Jesus Christ, you are not alone no matter what you are facing. The world will tell you that Christ is not enough. But Paul says yes He is! I will finish how Paul finishes – overflowing with gratitude! See you next week.