COLOSSIANS 2:1-5 - ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN IS FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE

COLOSSIANS 2:1-5

ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN

IS FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE

Colossians 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

Paul wrestled in prayer, struggled with hearing of heresy among the Colossian believers, and worked to encourage them and the Laodiceans through correspondence. He could not be with them in person because of his imprisonment, but he was with them in spirit. He was with them in spirit because he was in constant remembrance of them and their challenges through intercessory prayer on their behalf.

Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;           3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Paul works that others will believe and trust in Jesus and then grow in their relationship to Him. Paul desired the Colossians and others who read his letters to have a tenacious confidence in their salvation. Paul wanted to be certain that believers had an assurance of their inheritance in Christ that no one could talk them out of. He wanted them to understand that they should be sewn together by their mutual affection for one another. Jesus Himself commanded that His followers love one another and said this would be the evidence of their trust in Him. Jesus taught that the defining characteristic of His disciples would be love for each other.

John 13:35 (KJV) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Paul wrote that he wanted them to be confident in their understanding of the Gospel and the deity of Jesus. One of the heresies plaguing the church at Colossae was that Jesus could not be fully human and fully divine at the same time. Like Gnosticism which came at a later date, this heresy taught that matter was evil which would mean that a perfect God could not inhabit a human body made up of matter. Paul had countered this by pointing out in chapter one that God created everything, created matter. They mystery of the Gospel message is that Jesus, Father God, and the Holy Spirit are One God and that this God, because of the work of Jesus, can live in those who believe.

Colossians 2:3 (AMPC) In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden.

If you are seeking knowledge, wisdom, insight into life, they are found in Jesus Christ. There is no higher source than the Word of God made clear by His Holy Spirit. The heretical teaching was that there was some type of “higher knowledge” given only to a few, but Jesus makes the knowledge of God’s love available to all who believer.

Colossians 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

False teachers can sound very convincing, with plausible ideas; but if they stray from the basic message of redemption through faith in Christ ALONE, they are leading people down a wrong path. Other religions can sound tempting, but they are deceptive. Those who teach that any religion can save a person are false teachers.

John 14:6 (AMP) Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Colossians 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Colossians 2:5 (CJB) For although I am away from you physically, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing as I see the disciplined and resolute firmness of your trust in the Messiah.

One of Paul’s facilitators (or as I call Susie – Tater) had brought him news of the growth in the believers at Colossae. He could not be with them physically but still held them up in prayer and praised their undaunted commitment to Christ.

APPLICATION:

Question any teaching that:

·    Contradicts the Word of God

·    Presents Jesus as anything less than completely God and completely man from conception

·    Indicates there is some “higher knowledge” than the Word of God

Says you must accomplish works in order to be saved