ENCOURAGEMENT AND ASSURANCE (COL 2: 1-5)

ENCOURAGEMENT AND ASSURANCE (COL 2: 1-5):

Apostle Paul writes to the Colossians that he wants them to know how great a struggle he had for them and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen him face to face, that their hearts may be knit together in love, to reach all the riches of the full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Paul has a kind heart and he has concern towards the believers in the city of Colosse and Laodicea which are cities of Asia Minor and places of commercial importance. Paul also adds those whom he hadn’t seen face to face, including the believers from Colosse and Laodicea. Because of Paul’s concern for the believers, he is struggling in his heart and mind for their well-being. Paul tells that their hearts may be encouraged through the Word of God and Fellowship to do good deeds, being bonded with each other by genuine love. Paul tells the reason for being concerned about them that they should gain all the values of the Word of God and be sure about its worthiness by understanding it right and also know all about God’s plan and purpose for all mankind to be relieved from the sins through the faith in the sacrificial death of Christ. Christ is a great blessing for mankind to demonstrate a higher value of life and all His words and deeds are treasures through which the human beings could gain valuable practical applications and learnings for life. 

Paul says that in order that no one may delude them with plausible arguments. For though he is absent in body, yet he is with them in spirit, rejoicing to see their good order and the firmness of their faith in Christ. If the believers are assured about Christ, the values he had taught, and genuine love, then no one can deceive and cheat them with the other teachings by saying something that is similar to the truth, putting efforts to make them believe in it, whoever it is whether fame or common. Paul also expresses a stronger reason for his concern that every believer is with another believer by the connection we have because of the Spirit of God, though unseen or unknown or physically present nearer. Just a piece of information about other believers that they are following what is right and believing what is right without any compromise, would make us joyful.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection:

1.      For whom does the author struggle?

2.      What is the concern of the author?

3.      Why does the author struggle for?

4.      How our hearts may be encouraged and knit together in love?

5.      Why Christ is God’s Mystery?

6.      What is hidden in Christ? How?

7.      Why does Paul write his concern?

8.      How Paul is present with them? Explain?

9.      In what does Paul rejoice?

10.  How we can be in good order?

How we can be strong in our faith?