Can you imagine Christianity without Christ? A Christianity where Jesus is not worshiped as the true God nor trusted as the only source for wisdom, power, and a transformed life? A Christianity where you need to keep endless, man-made rules? A Christianity which goes beyond the words of Jesus in the Bible and relies on personal insights? A Christian life you start by believing that Jesus died for you but try to complete by relying on your own strength and willpower?
God never wanted us to detach Christ from our Christianity. The letter to the Colossian believers was written by the Apostle Paul to remind them that a Christianity without faith in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ is no Christianity at all.
The town of Colossae belonged to the Roman province of Asia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The church there had most likely been started by Epaphras, who may have become a Christian through Paul’s ministry in nearby Ephesus. Paul had never actually visited this church, but he had heard about certain problematic teachings they were faced with. He wrote them a letter to address those issues. While Paul is not specific about their problems, he is very specific about the solution they needed: Knowing Jesus Christ.
Our lives will be transformed if we get to know Jesus better, realize what He has done for us, and understand what it means to share in His life. Just like the Colossians, we need to be reminded that Jesus Christ is enough. He is enough not just for saving us and bringing us to heaven but for living the Christian life. May you be truly blessed as you explore the riches that are yours through Christ.
