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;
…….meaning of conflict: figuratively an effort or anxiety. The anxiety here is not one of dreaded doubt, but one of concern and love. Paul knew in writing this letter the concern he had for the church was so real that if he could only get to them to minister and encourage face to face, they would be convinced.
2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit (interlocking) 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;
…….Looking back to the beginning of this scripture, the greatest comfort comes from the ones who truly know you. There is nothing wrong with being an introvert, but it is encouraged through scripture to have personal relationship with the church body in such a way that when you struggle, others can comprehend to help. We need each other! Not only do we draw close for personal concerns, but even greater, to the understanding and acknowledgement of the Lord! When we know together we will grow together!
2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
…….No matter how long you have been saved or been joined to a particular church body, the enemy will always be looking for those who will cause conflict and sow discord. The Apostle Paul here opens this great chapter of warning “The Church”, painting a picture of his affection for the church.
I personally have grown to have a love for every church body. One of the greatest upsets to a church body is to lose saints of God to lies and misconceptions! It doesn’t matter if it’s the church down the street, the church across the county or our home church itself. The second worst thing a person could ever do is leave the church, the absolute first worst thing a person could do is cause someone else to leave the church!
If the enemy can’t pry into your commitment and relationship you have with the church with other vessels, he will try to flood your thoughts until he realizes you are not going to break! Those who steady themselves on finding a flaw will continue to find a flaw. In this sense of flaw seeking, the same person becomes flawed. The only way to overcome is to stay full of the Spirit!
Alive in Christ
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 stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
…….How does a person be present in the spirit while being absent in the flesh? Paul’s relationship with the church was so strong that no matter what state it was in, he comprehended. The only way to do this is to be prayerfully United with the church! I want to encourage someone, let your guard down! Let all of your walls of past hurt, the chains of self confidence and thoughts of what could have been fade away! Get in and get close!
2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
…….How do you continuously walk “in” Christ? The same way you walk with anyone else, side by side! There are friendships (especially in childhood) that become so close, they can literally predict what the other wants to do next. The friendship can be so tight that it is almost as if you are sharing the same feelings and thought. That’s the way (though more and greater on a Spiritual level) it is to walk with Christ. He’ll be with you as long as you keep him! He doesn’t stay in a place where nasty jokes and conversations of hate are produced. He doesn’t abide with a person who continues in secret sins. He abides in the straight and narrow! If you wanna walk “in” the Lord, put away those worldly desires and walk “with” Him!
I love the part that says “rooted and built up” in Him. A tree with a shallow root system will not stand in the storms. A building with a poor foundation won’t stick around in high winds. A person who is rooted in Christ will not be shaken when the trials come, but will hold tight to its foundation and depend on what he/she already knows in the Lord staying put until the dust settles! Those are the ones who keep the victory!
2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
…….If it doesn’t line up with the message of Christ, no matter how it has effected your emotions, don’t depend on it! Though many people in ministry are talented in working your feels, don’t hang your salvation on a feeling! On the flip side, don’t depend on the traditions of man. If you do, 30 or 40 years from now you will be nowhere or have succeeded in nothing of God’s purpose.
2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
…….We don’t have to seek for the fullness of God anywhere else, it dwells in our relationship with Christ! Can’t no man or woman tell you what God wants for your life like Christ himself!!!
2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
…….A person who walks in salvation has been circumcised in the heart! The fleshly desires and setbacks have been cut off and left as a simple memory. But also a memory of how to respond to present and future setbacks that will come along the way. Let Christ make you complete!
2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
…….I got caught up on this word operation! The biblical meaning is: efficiency (“energy”): – operation, strong, (effectual) working. I’ve never been around a source of energy that I couldn’t feel! Every source of energy changes or has a great impact on its surroundings! The operation of God in your life will change everything!
2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
…….But I’ve done so much! But He is God of all!!!
2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
…….When your name wasn’t on the list of invitation, and when you didn’t have a reservation by genealogy, he wrote your name in blood!
2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
…….Not only did He seal His salvation in our hearts, he exposed it to the whole world around us and in the spiritual realm itself. When Satan thought he had you, Christ showed him your new pedigree and made you untouchable!