“For I want you to know how great a burden I have for you… to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ.”
Despite living in an unprecedented age of communication, there are moments when the very tools that make this possible end up distorting the message. I experienced one of those moments recently when I received a text message from one of our other Pastors saying "I am overcome with FOMO". Having no idea if this was a person or a disease I responded "I'm sorry to hear that. Is it contagious?" The response came back “LOL, no I don't think so. FOMO means Fear of Missing Out… you need teenagers in your house".
Well for now I think I’m quite happy in my ignorance.
Point being, often the message becomes distorted. The apostle Paul writes to the Colossians for exactly this reason. He is so encouraged to hear that many people have responded to the gospel and put their faith in Jesus. However he wants to encourage them and ensure that the truth of Jesus they received was not distorted or diminished in any way.
Two words form the foundation of the incredible picture Paul paints of Christ in Chapter 1 of Colossians. He Is! He is the image of God, the Creator, He is Lord, He is the Sustainer, He is the Reconciler, our Sacrifice and our Redeemer, just to mention a few. In Chapter 2 Paul then switches gears to encourage the Colossians not to stop short of reaching the ‘full assurance of understanding and knowledge of God’s mystery which is Christ’ (Colossians 2:2). Saying: don't let vain philosophies cheat you (2:8), don't let religious activities rob you (2:16), don't let sin deceive you (3:5). See Christ in the fullness and wonder or all that He is. He is your life, He is your hope and He is your joy. (3:1-4)
There really is nothing that compares to this picture. There is nothing you could ever possibly add to who He is or what He has done. Don't even try, you’ll only make a mess. He is an infinitely glorious, all powerful God, who has redeemed us through the power of His blood and now offers us everlasting joy and satisfaction in himself.
Take a moment to reflect upon this picture of Christ. Has your perspective been tainted or diminished in anyway? Perhaps circumstances, busyness, striving, good works, selfishness or sin has clouded your vision. Take a moment today to bask in His glory and goodness, receive afresh His mercy, and enter into the fullness all that He is. May we too reach the ‘full assurance of understanding and knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ’!
Blessings
Andrew