Sanctified by the Cross

2 (I struggle that they may) reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Jesus Christ is the key to all encouragement and love.  That, I find, is often where people stop in their pursuit of Christ.  He encourages them and loves them and they wonder if he has anything left to offer. He is safe there and does not seem to ask us for too much.  Consider this: Christ is also the key to all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Everything you know and can know should be known through Christ.  Paul is working hard for them, vs 1, so that they may reach all the riches of full assurance in their understanding and knowledge of this mystery that is the gospel.  When you start doubting, wondering if it is really true, wondering if you did the whole faith thing right, when so many other ways seem so appealing and Christianity get...

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all those who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ. Colossians 2:1-2 “I want you to know how great a struggle I have,” Paul says to the people at Colossae. Seems odd, does it not? The word he uses for struggle is agonizomai. Paul is agonizing, in real pain and effort that they may be encouraged at the heart level. He basically says I struggle with all I have to give you more of Christ so that you will be encouraged. Why though, would they need to know that Paul is agonizing on their account? Think with me of Bill Colossian, the average guy from Colossae who is hearing Paul’s letter. He hears Paul say, “I’ve been struggling for you.” Bill might be thinking that Paul must be talking about Epaphrus and the churc...