Welcome to Day 2479 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Day 2479 – Counsel From a Concerned Apostle – Daily Wisdom

Putnam Church Message – 10/06/2024

Jesus Christ, Our Lord – Counsel From a Concerned Apostle - Colossians 2:1-10

Last week, we continued in the letter of Colossians and dove into what authentic Christian Ministry really is. 

Today’s passage is Colossians 2:1-10 on page 1833 of your Pew Bibles. We will investigate the heart of Paul and his love for the early church. I am reading from the NLT.

1 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally. 2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments. 5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers[a] of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body.[b] 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

There is a period of time during most young Christians’ lives when we go through an unhealthy phase of spiritual independence. We think that we don’t need anybody but God or anything but the Bible. We know Christ. We have the Holy Spirit. We begin to read God’s Word. We engage in daily study of Scripture. For many of us, our parents had played their part in raising us and sending us on a wholesome spiritual trajectory. Our spouse or other family member was there to provide encouragement and companionship. We plow forward with a go-it-alone attitude and a pioneering spirit. It’s the way of Western culture, especially in America.

This thinking is not Biblical. As we grow spiritually through the years, one of the greatest things we learn is that we need others. Not occasionally, but continually. And not just our families and close friends. We need all our brothers and sisters in Christ, in our local churches, and in the universal body of Christ.

This is one of the most challenging truths to convince believers of. We talk about accepting Christ as our “personal Savior” and having a “personal relationship with God.” We emphasize the “priesthood of each believer.” These biblical truths are often misinterpreted through the distorted lens of an unaccountable individualism. Yes, each of us must personally accept Christ as Savior, but we are all baptized into one body, the church. We each have a personal relationship with God, but that relationship is a Father-child relationship with many siblings. Each of us has the freedom by the power of the Spirit to approach the throne of God without any mediator>but the Lord Jesus Christ, but we are called to pray and intercede for our fellow believers, serving as one another’s priests. A lone-ranger mentality isn’t biblically supported.

Sometimes, I fear that, though we rightly emphasize the importance of personal Bible study, we neglect the equally important aspects of Christian community and accountability. What an unbalanced and unhealthy way to live a Christian life! It should jolt us out of our privatized Christianity to realize that the great apostle Paul, who labored on the frontier of missions, surrounded himself with people. His letters are filled with the names of fellow workers, companions, and colleagues. Some of them are familiar to us; others are not. But all were very familiar to Paul because they were his friends and supporters.

When we get to Colossians 2, we find Paul writing words of love, understanding, and compassion to people he had never met. However, they shared a mutual friendship with fellow ministry workers Epaphras and Philemon. Even though Paul and the Colossian believers didn’t know each other personally, they needed each other. They were connected as members of the same body of Christ, whether they were aware of it or not. In this section, Paul shares with his fellow believers in Colossae personal encouragement (2:1–5), foundational truth (2:6–7), and doctrinal warnings (2:8–10).

—2:1–5—

The chapter breaks, and verse numbers in our Bible translations are not inspired by God. They were added later to help people find passages of Scripture more easily. In the original text penned by the apostle Paul, the material of chapter 1 flowed right into chapter 2, perhaps written without Paul even lifting the stylus. Regardless, the thoughts from Colossians 1:29 flow right into 2:1. Paul said in 1:19 That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. In the next statement, Paul makes this striving personal: I want you to know how much I have agonized for you. (2:1). Here, Paul uses a noun form related to the verb meaning “to strive,” which he had used in 1:29 to refer to the great struggle he endured in ministry.

Not only was he striving on their behalf, but his arduous labor in the ministry also benefited their neighbors to the north in Laodicea, and all those churches who had not met Paul face-to-face (2:1). Though these believers did not have a direct relationship with him, Paul desired that they would be encouraged by having their hearts “knit together by strong ties of love” (2:2). The Greek word translated “knit together” is symbibazō. This same word is used in Ephesians to describe how the body of Christ is: He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Eph. 4:16).

This spiritual growth of the body that occurs as the members are fitted together in love results in “I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself” (Col. 2:2). Paul had already emphasized this point in his prayer that the Colossians would be filled with “all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (1:9). This full assurance of understanding would result in “they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself” (2:2).

Remember that the Gnostic false teachers emphasized seeking mysterious knowledge (gnōsis), but as something beyond Jesus Christ. The true knowledge of God’s mystery, Paul says; In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (2:3). This could be a bold, blunt, and direct refutation of budding Gnostic heresies. The fact that Paul had in mind a specific kind of false teaching is confirmed in his statement; I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments (2:4).

I’m sure the speculations of the false teachers were fascinating and their rhetoric tantalizing. They undoubtedly wowed their hearers with sophisticated “facts” and intricate logic. But every step of their mesmerizing methodology steered their listeners farther away from Christ. So it always is with false teachers. They demote, decentralize, or downplay the person and work of Jesus Christ. Cults have always done this and always will. Because Jesus alone is the treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge (2:3), the only way false teachers can persuade people to buy their fool’s-gold philosophies is to turn attention away from Christ and toward their fabulous fabrications.

These false teachers posed a real danger, but instead of dwelling on the dark clouds of potential threats, Paul follows his warning with bright rays of affirmation. Though he and the Colossians were separated by distance, Paul assured them that he was with them “in spirit” (2:5). This isn’t just a cliché phrase meaning “I’ve got your back.” In reality Paul and the believers in Colossae were united by the bond of the Holy Spirit, who brings together in spiritual unity members of the body of Christ who are separated physically. In the context of this spiritual camaraderie, Paul’s thoughts and emotions were with them as he expressed genuine interest and concern for them. He commended them for their good discipline and the stability of their faith in Christ. He rejoiced that they were living as they should and had a firm footing in the truth of the Christian faith.

Yet, Christians can always use more exhortation to continue to grow in the faith. And the Colossians, under the lingering threat of false teachers, needed an extra boost of foundational truth to keep them strong.

—2:6–7—

To strengthen them in their faith, Paul adds to his affirmation in 2:5, an exhortation to follow the way of Christ (2:6–7). The essence of the Christian life is packed into these two simple verses. We would do well to meditate on them or even memorize them. I see four foundational truths here worth examining.

First, the Christian life starts with new birth. We “accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord” (2:6). The word translated “accepted” is paralambanō, which Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 15:1–5 in reference to welcoming the gospel of Jesus Christ by faith:

Let me now remind you, dear brothers and sisters,[a] of the Good News I preached to you before. You welcomed it then, and you still stand firm in it. 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.[b]

3 I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4 He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5 He was seen by Peter[c] and then by the Twelve.

Second, the Christian life continues when we “follow him” (Col. 2:6). Like newborn babies, we grow slowly at first. Later, we learn to put one foot in front of the other as we understand the meaning of Christian language and grasp fundamental truths about the faith. We learn what is expected of followers of Christ: how to pray, read His Word, and deal with sin, and resist temptation. As we stay close to Him and keep our focus on Him, we continue to walk in the right direction toward spiritual maturity. All this takes time.

In Colossians 2:7, Paul uses the image of a tree “firmly rooted” to illustrate the kind of deep faith needed to stand strong. Take in a tree in a pot.

Third, as the Christian walk continues, stability and growth occur (2:7). Contrary to modern literary standards, Paul switches metaphors twice in this verse. He begins in 2:6 with the image of following him. Then, in 2:7, he uses the image of a tree being “firmly rooted” in the ground and follows this immediately with a structural metaphor (“let your lives be built on him”). Through these mixed metaphors, however, we see a consistent picture. As we grow, we become more stable; and with this stability comes greater maturity and the outworking of our spiritual growth, resulting in even greater stability.

Fourth, as the Christian walk matures, it’s marked by overflowing thankfulness (2:7). The mature believer knows that their spiritual growth comes from God, who, by the Holy Spirit, provides what is needed to conform Christians to the image of His Son (see 1 Cor. 3:6). The appropriate response to God’s provision of growth and strength is not pride or self-confidence but thanksgiving.

—2:8–10—

Regarding the four steps outlined in your bulletin, Paul knew that the Colossian Christians were standing between steps one and two in their growth in the Christian faith. They had been truly converted, were becoming stable in their faith, and were beginning to live the Christian life. But they were like first-year students in the lifelong curriculum of spiritual growth. Thus, the Colossians were prime targets for spiritual deception from false teachers, who preferred to target the newly converted. So Paul transitions to stern doctrinal warnings in Colossians 2:8–10.

Earlier, Paul warned his readers about being deluded by “well-crafted arguments” (2:4). Now he expands on this warning. And he doesn’t merely caution against a smooth talk by slick charlatans. Instead, he addresses deeper, darker levels of false teaching, by which the victims are taken captive (2:8). This image is not of people falling into a trap, but of being snatched and dragged off, as in the kidnapping of a child. It’s a violent and sobering image, intended to shock the Colossians to attention. How did those false teachers capture and carry their victims away from the truth?

First, the false teachers sought to capture them through “empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense” (2:8). Paul isn’t condemning all philosophy or science, but false, baseless, worldly philosophy concocted to confuse and deceive Christians. It’s important to note that the burgeoning Gnosticism that likely threatened the baby Christians in Colossae was probably some amalgam of selected Christian teachings and pagan mysticism, held together with a heavy dose of Platonic philosophy, and all of it badly twisted and distorted. In other words, the false teachers in Colossae were not only bad theologians and questionable scholars, but they were also terrible philosophers!

Second, the false teachers followed the traditions of human thinking and spiritual powers (2:8). The phrase may refer to wicked spirits believed to control the events of heaven and earth. If so, this would be a fitting rebuff against a Gnostic system that proposed a pantheon of quasi-divine emanations that filled up the cosmos and controlled people’s fates! Whether through the influence of wretched people or wicked spirits, these false teachers were drawing people away from Jesus Christ. Elsewhere, Paul expressed a similar concern for the Corinthians. But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. (2 Cor. 11:3–4).

As a defense against this two-pronged attack by the malicious false teachers, Paul again turns the focus to Jesus Christ. In a powerful theological statement concerning the person of Christ, Paul affirms, For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. (Col. 2:9). This means that Jesus Christ is God incarnate (see John 1:1–3, 14). He is fully divine and fully human. He is an undiminished Deity—including all Deity’s attributes, power, glory, honor, and authority—united with perfect humanity. A single dose of the doctrine of the Incarnation would instantly cure the disease of Christ-denying heresy.

Paul’s use of the word plērōma (“fullness”) was intentional. By declaring that the fullness of Deity dwells in Christ in bodily form (Col. 2:9), Paul refutes the mythical, speculative notion of plērōma in Gnosticism. He counters the dualistic nature of their false religion. The Gnostics despised the body, the physical world, and material things. They believed the physical world—especially the fleshly body—to be inherently evil. To confess that the fully divine Son of God could dwell in bodily form would have been anathema to those heretics.

Because of who Christ is—the God-man—He is able to fully accomplish His saving and sanctifying work. In 2:10, Paul strongly affirms the total sufficiency of Christ: “So you also are complete through your union with Christ.” There’s no need to seek so-called fullness anywhere else or find additional saving wisdom, insight, knowledge, understanding, or truth from any other philosophy. In Christ, we have everything necessary. Even the angelic spiritual realm that fascinated Gnostics was under His authority: “Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (2:10), including the seen and unseen realm. Jesus Christ is sufficient as Lord.

Application: COLOSSIANS 2:1–10

Watering Our Roots

No matter where we are in our process of spiritual growth, we need to keep our spiritual roots healthy, deep, and strong. But how do we do this? What can we do to remain firmly rooted in our faith? Let me suggest three things we can do to apply Paul’s teaching in Colossians 2:1–10.

First, once every week, affirm and encourage another believer. Just as Paul went out of his way to exhort, encourage, warn, and teach other believers, you can do the same. You’ll find that this love and concern for others, being with them “in spirit” (2:5), not only helps strengthen their roots but will also grow your own. You could do this through a personal meeting, a phone call, a card, an e-mail, or even a brief text message. Make yourself available, demonstrating that those brothers and sisters in Christ are not alone. And before you know it, you’ll find that you’re the recipient of others’ notes of encouragement.

Second, once a day, think of something for which you’re grateful and tell the Lord, “Thank You.” Thank Him for the food He provides and the friends He has brought into your life. Thank Him for health, for deliverance from various temptations, and for perseverance through trials. Thank Him for salvation in Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life. Thank Him for big things and little things. Don’t let a day go by without expressing your gratitude to the Lord for all the good things He provides.

Third, morning, noon, and night, pause and remind yourself, “I am complete in Christ.” Remember that God fully accepts you because of the person and work of Jesus Christ—not because of your own worth or merit. Recall that you’re totally free from the eternal punishment of sin. Acknowledge that Christ has broken the power of sin’s dominance in your life, allowing you to walk in a manner worthy of His calling (see 1:10; Eph. 4:1). And rejoice in the fact that you are absolutely secure in His salvation and will be fully delivered from the presence of sin when Christ returns.

By consistently sharing encouragement with others, regularly expressing your gratitude to God, and continually recalling the all-sufficiency of Christ, you’ll be watering the roots of your faith that nourish spiritual growth.

Next week, we will continue our series in the letter to the Colossians. The first section is Jesus Christ, Our Lord, and the message is titled ‘Living Forever…and Free. Invest time reading Colossians 2:11-23 for next week’s message.