Friday, August 19, 2005
Colossians 2:1-3 I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
HEART TO HEART
Most of Paul's letters were written to people he knew personally, but this one is an exception. Because they did not know each other personally, the Colossians might have thought that Paul could not be very much concerned about them, even though their pastor Epaphras had gone all the way to Rome to ask for Paul's advice on a problem in the congregation.
So Paul wants them to know that he does care about them and is greatly concerned about their welfare. "I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh." Paul calls his participation in their case a conflict, a struggle. He heard the news of Colosse and its problems from Epaphras, and the conflict intensified. He began to pray more earnestly for them, and he began to struggle with the question of how he could help them. Of course he must at least write to them, but for what purpose?
"That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Basically, they needed three things: stronger faith, more fervent love, and greater spiritual wisdom. All of these blessings are derived from Christ and His Gospel. This Gospel is called a mystery, because nobody can invent it or discover it or understand it on his own. God needs to reveal His mystery, and He does. The teaching about Christ is proclaimed, and the Holy Spirit works through this Gospel to encourage our hearts, to strengthen our faith in Christ, to assure us of God's constant love for us once and for all revealed in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our hearts are encouraged when we know we have forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ, and also the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead us on our Christian life.
Our love for God and for each other grows in only one way: as we are reminded of God's love for us in Christ. We love as we are loved. How great our love should be since we are so greatly beloved! And as far as wisdom and understanding are concerned, "all the treas-ures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ." Since Christ is the Creator and Preserver of all things, there is nothing He does not know. He knows all science and mathematics; He knows all history and all geography, even that which shall be in the future. He knows the human heart. He knows, us, all the way to the innermost core of our being. Above all, He knows the secret of eternal life and how to give that life to us.
