Encouraging and reinforcing just to see other born-again people living for Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:1-3

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“For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea…” Colossians 2:1a

For a glimpse into the great conflict that Paul felt for the Colossians and the Laodiceans, read about the Church of Laodicea in Revelations 3:14-22. The Apostle John also ministered to the Laodiceans, and he is the one who wrote about them in Revelations. Paul’s great conflict was due to their indifference to the Gospel of Christ after once living for Him, they were lukewarm [neither hot nor cold, just indifferent]. They trusted more in worldly wealth but spiritually were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. They were urged to repent, and the well-known Bible verse was spoken to them, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20 God speaks those words to every one of us through Jesus Christ.

“…and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:1b-3

Paul also felt great conflict for all those who had not seen him face-to-face. To see Paul personally, and to hear his born-again testimony, and his assurance that serving Christ over the laws of Judaism is OK, was very encouraging to the new Christians.

Paul was very vigorous in confronting the Jewish leaders and even in confronting the leaders of the Christian Church. Paul went as far as calling the Apostle Peter a hypocrite [to his face] for embracing the Jewish leaders but turning his back on the non-Jewish Christians [Galatians 2:11-21]. There was nothing Paul wouldn’t have done for the family of Christ, and it was a day of rejoicing for Paul to come personally to visit a Church. When Paul was there, the Jewish leaders scrammed, even Peter and the other Church leaders stood clear of Paul’s ministry to the non-Jews.

After all, Paul was once a prominent Pharisee rising in power and influence among his peers and now was using his superior knowledge of the Old Testament to show that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and Son of God. Paul also was persecuting Christians, throwing them in jail, and giving consent to their murder. Now, to see him helping the Christians and even causing the Church to grow was very encouraging. In worldly terms, and in spiritual, Paul was no one to mess with. The Jewish leaders found Paul to be a force to be reckoned with, an unstoppable force powered by his faith in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

With the encouragement of seeing Paul’s unstoppable determination face-to-face, the new Christians were being knit together in love as well as progressing in the riches and understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When Paul was there, there was no interference from corrupt influences, none from the Jewish leadership, the weeds were being tossed aside as the fruit of the Spirit blossomed. Paul’s children came to know God through Jesus Christ, not the many written laws of Judaism. They were learning that the treasures, wisdom, and knowledge of God are hidden within the Spirit.

As our Lord Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11