Thoughts from Colossians
Colossians 2:1-7 ? ?(1) I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. (2) My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and unified in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, (3) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (4) I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. (5) For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. (6) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, (7) rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Notes:
"I want you to know how much I am struggling for you?? Why would Paul want us to know that? I believe it was Paul who said, ?Follow me as I follow Christ.? Maybe he wants us to know that following Christ is not meant to be an easy jaunt to church every Sunday or an occasional casual prayer that God would send someone in need our way, but that we should be struggling to spread the gospel at all costs (remember, Paul wrote this letter from prison)
?My purpose?? Paul says that his purpose is that everyone be encouraged in heart and unified in love. Why? Because, once that happens, they will gain the full riches of complete understanding. And with complete understanding comes the knowledge of the mystery of God (which, namely, is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge). I understood it best when I worked it backwards. If I want to find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, I must first know the mystery of God (which is, to be specific, Christ). And I will know Christ more the more I seek to gain complete understanding, which comes from an encouraged heart and unification of God?s church through love. So, like most of Scripture, it all comes down to love.
?I tell you this so that?? Paul told us about his purpose, and explained how we gain understanding, wisdom and knowledge through love so that, when other people come along claiming to have a better way (or even a different way), we will not be swayed or tricked and will be able to stand firm in our faith.
?For though I am absent?I delight to see?? Even though Paul could not be with them, his thoughts were ever with them and he loved hearing about the stand they were taking, by faith, for Christ and the gospel.
?So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord?? How did I receive Christ Jesus? Through faith. And it is only through faith that I can and must continue to live in him.
?Rooted and built up in him?? A tree?s roots are its lifeline and support system. When we root ourselves in anything other than Christ, who is the Giver of life, we are bound to eventually wither and fall (and not bear fruit). We must root ourselves in him so that his life can feed us and build us into the fruit-bearing people he meant us to be.
?Overflowing with thankfulness.? My thankfulness should not just be an internal thing kept between God and myself. It should come pouring out of me and spill over into every area of my life. A thankful attitude is contagious. My cup runneth over.