Jesus: Our Hope
This week, Donald Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts related to payments, lies and actions to cover up and keep the truth hidden. He continues to lie even after the trial, and unfortunately people keep believing his lies and are being tragically misled. In Colossians 1:24-2:3, Paul encourages the Colossian church not to believe the lies of the Gnostics, but to find full understanding and wisdom about God’s love for them and plan of salvation for all people (Jews and Gentiles) through faith in Jesus Christ. I pray that all of us will see and hold on to God’s truth in Jesus Christ and not be misled by those who would falsely lead us astray from the riches God has for us in glory. Amen
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col. 1:24-27) Paul was writing from a Roman prison to the church at Colosse to encourage the Christian believers there. This message to the Colossians is centered on Christ. Paul gave them a beautiful picture of Christ as not only the creative force of the world, but now also the force that reconciles all of broken creation (including Jews and Gentiles, nature and all living things) back to God the Father. Paul said that his suffering had benefit for them and was for the sake of the body of Christ (the church). Paul made this assertion from the context that his jailing was result of preaching the gospel message and bringing others into the faith. Paul focused not on the suffering his imprisonment caused him, but on what it meant for the furtherance of the mission God called him to. The mystery that Paul referred to was God’s plan of salvation (not just for Jews but also for Gentiles!), which was previously not clearly known (hidden) but was now revealed through Christ. As Christians, we hope (wait with anticipation) for the one that we put our faith in….Christ.
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. (Col. 1:28-29) Wisdom is important for u to obtain, as we see often in the Old Testament. Wisdom comes from knowing and obeying God (Prov. 1:1-7), and the result of those actions is that we become more mature in our walk with Him. Paul used all of the power he received from Christ to see that Christians became more mature in Christ (become more like Him in obedience and reverence of God).
I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 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 that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 2:1-3) Paul did not start the church in Colosse and he had never visited them. But, as he encouraged the Colossian church, Paul emphasized to them how hard he was working on their behalf and on the behalf of other Christians (Laodicea is mentioned). He desired for them to know the full riches of God’s salvation that they received through faith in Christ. Paul said that in Christ, the creative force of the universe, Christians could find all wisdom and knowledge of God’s purposes. Paul wanted them to know and be assured of their salvation and of God’s love for them. In turn, Paul wanted Christians to be assured and united by that love and knowledge of God’s purposes/plan.
From the Bible Knowledge Commentary we find this “Knowledge is prudent judgment and wisdom is prudent action. Both are found in Christ (Rom. 11:33; 1 Cor. 12:8) whose wisdom is foolishness to the world (1 Cor. 1:21–25), but who is the power of God by which a believer receives “righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30).” Through our faith in Jesus we not only receive salvation, but we have access to knowledge and wisdom for our daily living. Paul’s purpose in writing to the Colossian church was to encourage them not to capitulate to false teaching and to hold on to the truth in Christ. There are riches and treasures beyond compare that can only be found in following Jesus. Just as Paul encouraged the Colossians, he encourages us likewise. Be encouraged to hold on to that which is true. Be encouraged to hold on to your faith in Christ. He is our hope!
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
