You can listen to the full audio message here: Lives Hidden With Christ - The Goal This morning, we’re diving into a passage I love: Colossians 2:1-5. And frankly, one of the things I love most about it is that it’s one of those rare places where the Apostle Paul finally decides to be clear!
Usually, Paul can be as clear as mud. But here, he decides to let us in on exactly what he’s trying to communicate, what he’s trying to achieve through this little letter to the Colossians.
Let’s look at the passage together:
“I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.”
The Goal: Encouraged and United
Finally, Paul! It’s so nice when you come across something in Scripture where the writer lays out the purpose: “This is my goal."
What is the whole point of the letter to the Colossians?
- “…that you may be encouraged in heart, united in love, so that you might have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that you may know the mystery of God, namely Christ.”
Then he follows up with the warning: “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine sounding arguments.”
As Paul develops this idea throughout the rest of the book of Colossians, he helps us get to some of the underlying issues. While we can’t nail down exactly what these “fine sounding arguments” were, it’s clear that people were trying to draw these young followers of Jesus away from the core message.
It’s like that classic meme where a person is walking with their partner, but turns to look back at something else that’s caught their eye. The young church was learning about Christ, and then someone came along with a new, cool-sounding idea, and they were tempted to look away. Paul catches them and says, “Guys, don’t go chasing after these fine-sounding arguments. Let me remind you again of the things that are most important.”
He is trying to build a confident foundation for them.
1. Be Encouraged in Heart
This is a strange phrase in English. It’s more than just a “thumbs up, go get ‘em.” The Greek word here is closer to saying, “I want you to be strengthened from your inner being.” It’s an idiom, a figure of speech, where he is saying, “I want you to be absolutely strengthened from your core, from your gut. I want you to have courage to stand firm.”
We need this because we live in a world where all kinds of attractive ideas are swirling around. Paul desires a real, true strength—not a false bravado or a swagger, but an iron strength of being that emanates from your inner guts. When someone like this walks into a room, you know they are strong, and you feel safe.
2. United in Love
The second part of the goal is to be united in love.
The Greek word is Sambibazō (a cool word you can drop into conversation!). It means knit together in love, a deep pursuit and connection with one another.
These two concepts—encouraged in heart and united in love—have to be tied together. The idea of the “lone ranger Christian” simply doesn’t work. Paul says no, to be strengthened from the inside must also mean to be united in love with one another.
We need each other. We are not walking through this world alone. It’s an Old Testament concept: three strings are stronger than one. From that unity in love comes the strength and courage that bubbles up from your innermost being.
The Confidence: Knowing the Mystery of Christ
The ultimate goal of this strength and unity is so that we may have a complete understanding—a confidence in our faith. He wants us to be confident in who Jesus is: the mystery who is Christ.
Jesus is the very image of the invisible God, the one through whom all things are reconciled. Paul wants people to have absolute foundational confidence in the truth of the resurrected Christ.
If we are standing on this bedrock foundation, we won’t be swayed when life or all the competing ideas come at us. Does this mean we can’t doubt or wrestle? No! It means that as you doubt, wrestle, and struggle, you still have this foundation: Christ, the one who has forgiven you, who is merciful, gracious, and compassionate.
The Warning: Don’t Be Deceived
Paul says, “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine sounding arguments.”
In the first century, and today, we are all attracted to the idea of finding something secret, something deeper that no one else knows. We are easily sucked into conspiracy theories and myths. We love it because it makes us feel powerful, like we have something better than someone else.
Paul’s message is clear: Don’t get caught up in these fine-sounding arguments. Don’t be drawn away from the foundation that gives you true and ultimate confidence: the mystery of Christ—the one who lived, died, and rose again.
This is the true north, and everything has to be tested against it. If an idea pulls you away from the reconciliation of all things, from grace, mercy, compassion, and love, it must be discarded.
It’s so easy for us to get sucked in by the newest theory. We need this reminder of where our understanding and confidence truly comes from: the person of Jesus.
A Challenge for Self-Reflection
The way we hold firm is by having a strength from our core, developed by being united in love as the body of Christ.
My challenge for you is this: Take a look and ask yourself, “Where am I building my confidence?”
Are you seeking to build confidence on “your research” about whatever new theory or idea is floating around? Or are you building your confidence on the person of Christ?
Go before the Lord and ask Him, “What is the foundation upon which I am building?” Paul wants us to build on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
How great will it be to hear these words spoken over your life: “For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.”