“I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ Himself. In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong. And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:1-7
Paul wrote this letter to the new believers to not only encourage and build them up, but to protect them from imposters who were trying to get them to follow their former way of living. The role of Pastors as well as teachers and mature Christians, is to protect the spiritually immature from false teaching.
Paul pointed out that there was no need for new doctrine, for everything they needed was hidden in Christ. All the laws that was being banded about by the religious infiltrators, could be easily exposed if they would continue following Christ. He encouraged them to let their spiritual roots grow down into Christ and to let their lives be built on Him alone. He said the results would be strong faith in the Truth they were taught. The best way to refute lies, is by knowing the truth.
So many Christians have fallen prey to new age teaching because they neglected to find their truth in the hidden wisdom and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The Bible says in this same chapter, that in Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead and in Him we are complete.
“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the Head over every ruler and authority.” Colossians 2:9-10 NLT
Hidden treasures indeed. But not from seekers of His Truths. We are able to recognize false teachers and teachings, simply by our roots or lives being established in Him. Our foundation isn’t susceptible to faulty information. As we draw from the fullness of God that is in Christ, we are made complete in Him. As we read the Bible, we are able to recognize everything that presents itself as truth. As we entrust our spiritual appetites to Spirit filled pastors and teachers, we mature in our understanding of God’s Word.
Paul commended the young believers for continuing to live exemplary lives, but he also recognized that his absence created a vacuum through which the enemy would try to gain ground. The closing down of churches today, has also been a strain on new or immature Christians. He agonized over not being able to minister to them face to face. I wonder how many pastors are experiencing agony over the lockdown? He was doing everything to shore up their faith. Reminding them, of what Jesus did for them, encouraging them to remain focused and not be drawn away. Distance learning is not for the immature and undisciplined. If you were distracted in a structured setting, distance won’t help you.
Paul was doing everything to ensure that they would not fall away. He said the things the imposters were telling them, may appear on the surface to be good. But they weren’t. Who’s looking out for the souls of our young people who are committing suicide at a high rate during this lockdown? Who’s agonizing over them? If they’re in homes where there’s no spiritual connection, who will tell them that there’s hope in Christ? What the government thought was best for us, has turned into a national disaster.
For Christians who are struggling emotionally during this season, the words of the apostle Paul is worth heeding. Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. He’s our treasure trove of all wisdom and knowledge hidden for us not from us. Whatever you may be facing right now, He’s your answer. Don’t fall for the lies and fear mongering. Draw on the Truth you once relied upon. His Words never fail, and He will not alter or change them to suit the times. Let your world collide with His. He wins every time. Christ is your only reality. Everything else is a shadow. Read all of chapter 2. When we experience His victory in our circumstances, we overflow with thankfulness.
We grow as God in Christ nourishes us. He’s our all sufficiency. For every falsehood there’s His Truth. We just need to remember that. We’re alive with Christ. As Paul encouraged the church in Colossae, I’m encouraging you today. My pastor used to say “ everything in the natural is subject to change” that’s a fact! Especially if our hidden treasure is Jesus Christ. If your church building is opened and you’re not compromised, get back to God’s House. The best way to fight loneliness is to be with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Nothing beats worshiping the Lord together and hearing the Word in person. We sharpen each other. Paul calls that “ strong ties of love.”
“You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world,” Colossians 2:20a NLT
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
February 24, 2021