“For I want you to know what a great conflict [struggle] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh…” Colossians 2:1.

This struggle, or conflict, is what Paul is going through as he struggles in letters and prayer over them in an effort to keep false doctrines and false teachers from coming into the church and robbing the believers of their freedom and joy in Christ.

Thus far here in Colossians the apostle has shown the superiority of Christ over every angel, creature or created thing, as God the Creator and sustainer of all things, whether in heaven or in earth.

“For to which of the angels did He ever say: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You’? And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son’? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’ And of the angels He says: ‘Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.’ But to the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.’” Hebrews 1:5-9.

The apostle also refuted the Gnostics who claim that God cannot inhabit sinful flesh.

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist [are held together].” Colossians 1:15-17.

“And: ‘You, Lord [Christ], in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.’” Hebrews 1:10-12.

He now gives the reason for his struggle and then continues the fight to correct error in the church of the Colossians and anywhere false prophets may come in to deceive.

In chapter two Paul refuted the lie of the philosophers in Colossians 2:1-10, in verses 11-17 he refuted the Jewish legalists (keeping the law), in verses 18-19 he refuted mysticism, and in 20-23 Paul refuted asceticism (mortifying the body, “do not touch, do not taste, do not handle”).

The Apostle now opens with encouragement for those believers who have become confused by these doctrines of demons, which have a nice ring to them, but they only lead to destruction of life.

“…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. Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.” Colossians 2:2-4.

This begins with, “that their hearts may be encouraged”; God is not a God of discouragement as so many people might think. God is not in the business of judging every move we make, so He can punish us immediately.

Sin is sin and He sees it and unconfessed sin will bring consequences, but a relationship not punishment is God’s main motivation.

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:1-4.

It is probably because we are so good at judging and condemning others that we expect the same from God, but, it is His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering that leads us to repentance.

It is this same gentle spirit of encouragement that the apostle is showing to the Colossian believers who are falling into heresy.

“…being knit together in love”; this is something that is missing in the modern day church, and has been for many years.

There is little real love for one another in the church, in fact many folks do not know more than a few others in their local church. And often what they do know about them is the result of unfounded gossip, making their brother or sister in Christ someone they do not wish to know.

Yet it is a commandment.

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:8-10.

“And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.” 1 John 3:23.

“And now I plead with You, lady [church was in her home], not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.” 2 John 1:5.

These apostles are not just making these things up because they sound noble; Jesus commanded it from the beginning.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35.

Notice that the Lord said “…as I have loved you”; considering that He died for us, this is a serious commandment.

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12.

“These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:17.

I recall one cult in the 1960s that used the term “love bomb”; they would literally gather around some new attendee at one of their meetings and win them over by loving them, “love bombing” them.

Many a naïve soul has been taken off to hell because they just desired to be loved. And the parasitic leadership who fed off of them, and used them for filthy lucre, were more than content to give them their version of love.

If only the church had been willing to love others as Christ did, and not just themselves as though they were some private club, history would be much different today. But this commandment is still in place, and Christ can change history; but are His children willing?

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another…” Romans 12:10.

“Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14.

“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” Galatians 5:13-15.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

“I therefore, the prisoner [written while in prison] of the Lord, beseech you to have a walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3.

“Therefore be followers of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2.

“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13.

Love is the bond that knits believers together and unifies them in Christ, many churches do exhibit this love for one another, but too many of them do not.

This is because the leadership emphasizes personal evangelism, finding one’s gift, church funding for building projects, getting folks to prophesy or speak in tongues, healings, signs and wonders. While others just preach out of Time Magazine.

Some of these are good things, but without love, the congregation is not knit together, so there is nothing for visitors to see when they do come.

And if one does not speak to others about Christ in love, how can they display His love for them, it is just a job and the listener will see it in their eyes and hear it in their voice.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1.

God’s love in the individual believer for their families, their brothers and sisters in Christ, and for the lost is a subject which is often repeated in Scripture, particularly in the life of Jesus, both in His words and in His actions. We are meant to exhibit that same love.

The apostle wants the Colossians to be encouraged in Christ, be knit together in love, and for them to go on to.

“…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 2:2b-3.

These last verses will be covered in the next post.

Colossians 2:1-2a taken from godisrevealed.com posted on 1-4-14, updated on 3-14-20.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.