Isn't that a beautiful list?! And it fuels so many applications for us. We find Paul's pastoral goal in verse 2 - he wants to encourage their hearts. Remember where Paul is writing? He is in prison ... waiting for a "trial" before Nero ... knowing it most likely will mean execution. And yet his own heart is "struggling" for these believers whom he has never seen face to face. The struggle was through prayer. The word translated "struggle" is the Greek word agon. This is the word from which we derive our English word agony. That helps us get a sense of the intensity of Paul's message. So, my question for us, for whom do you "struggle" before God? List them in you mind (or on your paper). The following verses give us splendid illustrations of just how to do that! Armed with the names of those people ... let's look ...
I want the people on my "list" to be united in love - to God and Christ first - to their fellow believers. Love does "cover a multitude of sins" as Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:8. I also want to experience myself the unity that comes from love.
I want them to have wisdom and understanding ... not the kind the world offers ... but the wisdom that is from God and is revealed through Christ. Paul tells us that it is all in Christ. Remember that Paul is confronting Gnostic teaching ... the philosophy that wisdom is all carefully delineated in the few chosen wise ones ... and can only be disseminated through them. Paul loudly refutes that by telling the Colossians that all wisdom and understanding are found in Christ.
I struggle for those I love to know the mystery of God ... and that mystery is Christ.
I find these verses so helpful in knowing how to pray for the people I love ... use them ... I think you will find them helpful also ... especially when you feel that you run out of words!
Paul then encourages these folks to continue to live in Christ - rooted and built up in Him. (vs.6-7) In the Gulf Coast region of the country, we are moving into yet another hurricane season. So many residents of our area are still reeling and recovering from the blow that Hurricane Ike brought our way. The images are still fresh. When Paul uses the word "rooted", he is using a word that refers to a tree and the root system that holds it up. We had so many trees down during the last hurricane. Why? Their root systems could not withstand the winds. They broke - they fell. Be rooted in Christ. Only there can we withstand the howling winds that this old world rages against us. Then Paul uses the word picture of being "built up". This picture refers to the foundation of a house or building. Our life foundations must be "in Christ" for them to remain solid and firm - for them to be worthy of building our lives upon.
Do you need any "root stimulator"? God's Word is that very thing! As you read and meditate, your roots grow stronger and reach deeper in to soil of Christ Himself. Stay with it ... persevere ... start over when necessary! Examine your foundation. Are you trusting more in America than in Christ? Do you claim more security in economies and bank accounts than in the Lord? Talk to God about such things. Tell Him where you struggle. Pray for yourself and the people you love in regard to roots and foundations. "Struggle" over these things!
And then ... let your heart overflow with gratitude and thanksgiving to the One who will provide ... the wisdom, the strength, the security, the love.
In 1787 a few words were penned that have withstood the test of time and their relevance remains. I wonder if the author had Colossians 2: 1 - 7 in mind! Remind yourself of these truth today ...
"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He has said,
You who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?
"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed;
I, I am they God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand."
"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, tho all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake."
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