- City Church Team
Colossians 2:2-3
"My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order they they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3
Paul has a deep desire for people to know the love of Jesus Christ. The love of Jesus changes everything and Paul knew this first-hand. His goal was that their hearts would be deeply encouraged that Jesus is real. The promises of the cross and the new life we receive is not pretend. Living for Jesus is not something for a Sunday and sometimes during the week - it's real. Scripture is real. This is our reality - Jesus Christ went to the cross, God made us alive with Christ and forgave us our sins and cancelled our debt which stood against us. (Colossians 2:13-14)
The question here is do we believe that we actually need to be forgiven? Does the very thought of our sin break our hearts? Because if we don't understand sin then our hearts can't be encouraged by the gospel. Sometimes we can easily see the sin in the life of someone else because it probably bumped up against us. Addiction and abuse are easily identified in my own life brought on by another person. The sin of others can cause deep holes in our hearts leaving us with questions like are we good enough? Do we deserve love? The sin of another can cause hate which causes deep division and separation. But I love that Jesus cleaned this up. When we confess our faith in Jesus Christ he steps in and takes that pain. Jesus starts to show us that we are worthy of love, that we are good enough. Jesus breaks down the lies we've been told by sin and replaces it with truth. Knowing Jesus is the greatest treasure we have. Jesus sweeps up the old and that is encouraging.
As Jesus starts to work in our hearts we can't help but confess our sin and see our deep need for a Savior. Our faith is strengthened and we overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7) Then like Paul, we can't help, but contend for the gospel and ensure that others are deeply encouraged in heart and united in love so they may know Christ, because in Christ are hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Respond with these questions:
Do you believe that you need to be forgiven?
Is Jesus Christ your greatest treasure?
Do you overflow with thankfulness at the thought of Jesus?
Do you have a desire for people to be encouraged?