The
apostle had never been to Colossae. The church at Colossae was not planted by
him. Yet, he had a tender a care for them. We observe here the great concern
which Paul had for these Colossians and the other churches. Like all other
Christians in the times of the apostles, they were doubtless exposed to trials
and persecutions. And Paul prayed that their hearts might be comforted in the
midst of persecutions and trials that had often befallen into their lives.
The
hearts of God's people often need comfort, by reason of sin, the temptations of
Satan, and the troubles of life that can shake their faith. How can the
Christians be comforted? Paul lists two ways:
1.
Love.
Paul
desires that “their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love.”
This describes the manner in which the comforting can take place: by their
being closely joined (knit) together in love. Love is the cement that joins and
keeps them together; it makes them to be of one heart and one soul.
As
a song goes, “Love will keep us together.” As love will keep a family together,
love will certainly keep a church together. It renders the communion with one
another comfortable and delightful. Would you be part of a group you don’t
love? One of the ways members receive encouragement is through the love
they receive from other brethren. In times of afflictions, it is love from the
brethren that brings strength and encouragement (Hebrews 10:24).
Barnes
comment on Colossian 2:2: “It means, properly, to make to come together, and
hence, refers to a firm union, as where the heart of Christians are one. Here
it means that the way of comforting each other was by solid Christian
friendship, and that the means of cementing that was love. It was not by a mere
outward profession, or by mere speculative faith; it was by a union of
affection,” (Barnes’ Notes).
To
stay in unity and love, we need to have strong Christian fellowship with one
another; we need to knit together in love. Things knitted together cannot be
torn apart easily. When you need multiple coloured threads together, you get a
beautiful piece of garment. That’s exactly what unity in love does to a church;
it makes her beautiful: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). Only when a church is
knitted in love will she find strength to overcome Satan’s temptations. Satan
wants to divide the church. But a church that is knitted together in love will
stand.
2.
WORD OF GOD
Paul
says it is “unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the
acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.”
This phrase, “full assurance” (Greek plērophoria) means firm
persuasion, settled conviction, full confidence. It is the desire of the
apostle that they might have entire conviction of the truth of the Christian
doctrines. The Gnostics are going about teaching a false doctrine that denies
the deity of Christ. Paul says the way not to be affected by their false
doctrines is to be personally persuaded by the gospel of Christ.
People
can only be led into error when they are ignorant of the scriptures. Our Lord
says: “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures,” (Matthew 22:29a). But
those who know the truth and are fully persuaded by it will not be moved by
false doctrines. Certainly, the word of God offers comfort to those who know it
(Romans 15:4).
Love
and the word of God are our two best companions on this earth. We are certainly
encouraged by love. We also receive encouragement from the word of God (Psalm
119:105). We will remain strong when we love one another and love the truth.
Let us be knitted together in love and in the word of God.
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
No comments:
Post a Comment