The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 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 that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Paul had a goal for these believers in Colossae as well as those in Laodicea, that they be "encouraged in heart and united in love." It was his purpose that they might have the "full riches of complete understanding." It seems to me that the greatest pursuit of us believers would be to have complete understanding in Jesus Christ.
Paul mentions that the complete understanding would include knowing the mystery of God, namely, Christ. Paul points out that it is in Christ that all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be found.
Now, is this simply flowery language? Lofty prose to adorn an apostolic letter, to simply sound "religious" or "spiritual"? Or, is Paul dead-serious here about an avenue we can take to gain the full riches of complete understanding, leading to us knowing the mystery of God, Jesus Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge?"
It appears to me we need to be taking these statements of Paul to heart and insure what he says becomes a reality in our own lives. "Encouraged in heart" and "united in love." How do we begin that adventure in our relationship with Jesus Christ? How do we build these things into our lives? Do we do that, or does God do that? If God does it, might we not do what Paul did, and ask God for help with these things? Might we not seek out more mature believers to see how they have pursued that in their lives?
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:9b-12.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"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."
Paul had a goal for these believers in Colossae as well as those in Laodicea, that they be "encouraged in heart and united in love." It was his purpose that they might have the "full riches of complete understanding." It seems to me that the greatest pursuit of us believers would be to have complete understanding in Jesus Christ.
Paul mentions that the complete understanding would include knowing the mystery of God, namely, Christ. Paul points out that it is in Christ that all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge are to be found.
Now, is this simply flowery language? Lofty prose to adorn an apostolic letter, to simply sound "religious" or "spiritual"? Or, is Paul dead-serious here about an avenue we can take to gain the full riches of complete understanding, leading to us knowing the mystery of God, Jesus Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge?"
It appears to me we need to be taking these statements of Paul to heart and insure what he says becomes a reality in our own lives. "Encouraged in heart" and "united in love." How do we begin that adventure in our relationship with Jesus Christ? How do we build these things into our lives? Do we do that, or does God do that? If God does it, might we not do what Paul did, and ask God for help with these things? Might we not seek out more mature believers to see how they have pursued that in their lives?
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light." Colossians 1:9b-12.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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