It Starts Small

2 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. ² 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,

Colossians 2:1-3

I am contending for you

Paul’s concern for the Colossians burned with intensity; they were never merely an afterthought in his heart. Alongside the Colossians, new believers and churches blossomed throughout Europe and the Middle East. They created a vibrant tapestry. Many of them had never had the privilege of meeting Paul. The church at Laodicea stood as a powerful testament to this movement. Paul understood that the struggle for the souls of these precious individuals was a fierce spiritual battle. Although he was not physically present on the front lines in Colossae, he passionately engaged in the spiritual warfare described in Ephesians 6:12. He fervently fought on their behalf through prayer. He tirelessly sent people or letters to guide and uplift them. Are you a prayer warrior?

they may be encouraged in heart

All of the believers at that time courageously faced immense struggles in their walk with the Lord. Each believer was a first-generation believer, forged in the fire of faith without the nurturing backdrop of a Christian family. They stood as pioneers, trailblazers in communities that had never witnessed the light of Christ just a few decades before. The pressure to abandon their faith bore down on them from every direction: society, government, friends, family, and even spouses. In the midst of such rarefied numbers, those few who shared their faith often felt isolated and profoundly alone. Yet, Paul arose as a beacon of encouragement. He reminded them that although they may have felt solitary in their journey, they were never truly alone.

united in love

Paul passionately assures them they are not alone in their journey. The believers must come together in a powerful display of encouragement and unwavering support for one another. The essential element binding their relationships must be love, as emphasized in 1 Corinthians 16:14 and 1 John 4:7-9.

¹⁴ Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

1 John 4:7-9

⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

Many devoted believers, both past and present, often discover a painful truth. Their families or friends may distance themselves due to their unwavering faith. In these trying times, brothers and sisters in Christ desperately need the steadfast support of fellow believers. If, instead, they are met with indifference, judgment, or complaints, the weight of despair and hopelessness can become unbearable. Let us show boundless love. We should strive to be beacons of joy and encouragement to those around us. This will transform our communities into sanctuaries of hope instead of sources of discouragement.

the full riches

How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight rather than silver!

Proverbs 16:16

This wealth transcends mere physical riches like gold or coins; it embodies the immeasurable bounty of spiritual blessings. In Christ, we are invited to embrace lives that overflow with abundance and joy, living each moment to its fullest!

⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

James 2:5

Most people chase after riches, convinced that material wealth is the key to unlocking happiness and security. Yet, let us awaken to the profound truth. True happiness and unwavering security come not from physical riches. They come from a vibrant and exhilarating relationship with Christ. A genuine understanding of Christ is deeply intertwined with unwavering faith in Him. This understanding will lead us to a wealth far greater than anything this world can offer. This wealth embodies true happiness and security, found solely in the embrace of Christ.

complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

True wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ alone. In a world brimming with exceptionally intelligent individuals boasting high IQs, there is a startling reality. These individuals are capable of conquering complex problems and excelling in exams. However, for all their remarkable intellect, they lack true wisdom in the eyes of God. Take Richard Dawkins, for instance, the world’s most prominent atheist. He hurls scornful comments at the Bible, God, and Christianity, all while masquerading as wise. Yet, in doing so, he merely reveals his own folly and profound blindness to the ultimate truth. (1 Corinthians 1:18-31.) When confronted with the baffling improbability of random processes birthing life, he whimsically speculated that perhaps aliens initiated it all. To him, the idea of intelligent design coming from extraterrestrial beings is conceivable. Yet, he utterly dismisses the notion of a Creator God.

Christ is absolutely worth the ultimate sacrifice of everything we possess! Are you ready to embrace this challenge? It may be easy to say, “I will sacrifice everything.” However, the true test lies in identifying that one cherished thing you’re willing to relinquish for the glory of God. What is that one precious item or habit you could surrender to fully devote yourself to serving Him?

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Discussion Questions

• What kind of struggle was Paul referring to in verse 1?
• What goals did Paul have for them?
• What wealth is he referring to?
• What is God’s mystery?
• How can we have a true knowledge of God’s mystery since it is a mystery?
• What does that teach us about how we can even begin to know the incomprehensible God and His plans?
• What is one treasure of wisdom and knowledge you have learned from Christ?

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