“Sept 24, 2024 - All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge”

Monday, September 23, 2024

All the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge

Reading:  Colossians 2:1-10
    
    His heart once again on his sleeve, Paul shares his concerns for the Colossians:  “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”(Col 2:1-3).  Paul yearns for those Christians whom he has not personally met because he wants them too to grow to maturity—especially in courage, maturity, and confidence.  But his special concern here is that new believers discover that in Jesus “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Jesus is the source of everything we really need to know to live life well and find eternal life.  

    The reason this is so important is that other people are peddling knowledge that does not come from Jesus.  It is clear Paul is concerned with these influences throughout the letter:  some may “delude you with plausible arguments”(Col 2:4) or “(take) you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition”(Col 2:8) or “disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels”(Col 2:18).  All of these approaches rest on a claim of knowledge or wisdom, yet all are bankrupt because they do not come from Jesus.  “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving”(Col 2:6-7).  We do not grow away from Jesus, but deeper into him so that we are strongly rooted and firmly established.  “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority”(Col 2:9-10).  Since Jesus is the fullness of God, it is only in him that we can be filled with all that we need.  

    These verses may seem abstract, but the point is essential.  So many voices vie for our attention.  Scientists, politicians, celebrities, internet stars, and family members all offer some measure of wisdom and knowledge.  Do we really believe that we find all the wisdom and knowledge we need in Jesus?  Or do we keep seeking real wisdom for living in other places?  

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One Thing to Think About: How can I listen to others’ thoughts without being “deluded” or taken “captive” by them? 

One Thing to Pray For:   To be encouraged and knit together in love with my brothers and sister

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