A note from our Pastor:

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ”

Colossians 2:2

Good Morning Dearly Beloved,

This verse continues the great conflict that was within the Apostle Paul. The conflict was that he knew he was in prison because he was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, but he wanted to be free from his imprisonment so that he might travel to the congregations. Our study verse this week explains why the Apostle wanted to travel and be with the disciples in person.

The key phrase to understanding this verse happens midway through the text. The Apostle writes that he desires the congregation to have “the full assurance of understanding.” He was confident, based on the gifts of the Holy Ghost, that in person his preaching would allow them to understand the truth of Jesus Christ. His fear remained that only communicating in letters would diminish the impact of the gospel.

The beginning of the verse explains why this concern weighed heavily on his heart. The saints at Colossae, Laodicea, and other congregations needed the assurance of the gospel that their hearts might be comforted. All believers need this due to the daily struggles of life, the sin that so easily throws believers off course.

However, these early congregations needed the assurance because they still faced great tribulation. When the Apostle arrived in Rome he was told that believers in Christ were reviled by all people – Jews, Greeks, Romans, etc. These particular disciples did not just have the struggles of being sinners trying to follow Christ, they also had active tribulation from outside forces.

Because these groups of believers faced those outside forces that the Apostle sought for them to be “knit together in love.” He knew that if they tried to stand on their own they would succumb to the pressure of those pushing down on them. But together, and even better if he were with them, they could stand against the fiery darts of the devil.

This was the cause of the great conflict in the soul of the Apostle Paul.

Our Prayers are with you daily,

Brother Jeremiah