Colossians 2:1-3
2 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
SOAP:
Paul writes of his great concern for the Colossian and Laodicean church. He wanted them to remain encouraged and steadfast in their knowledge and understanding of God. Paul wanted to bring them joy, but also wanted to provide them with reassurance of their salvation and their fellowship with God when they were struggling with doubt.
Likewise, believers must grow in the knowledge of God and understanding of His Word in order to rest in His promises. It is easy to watch the daily news, to look at the circumstances of life, experience the drama of the world and wonder where God is in the midst of it all. When times are rough in this world, believers are to stand on the knowledge that God is real and active in their lives. Believers have a personal experience with God which transformed their life at the day of salvation. We don’t simply have book knowledge of the Lord that starts and ends with a bunch of facts from the Bible. We live, breathe, and walk out the Word of God. Believers have a personal relationship with our Lord that began with Him saving our very lives from the depths of hell. We have personal knowledge of the God who nurtures us, protects us, rescues us, teaches us, strengthens us, delivers us, and loves us. We have been given the treasure of experiencing the One who continues to move us from glory to glory in the midst of a chaotic, sin-filled world. We experience God because of Jesus Christ. We intimately grow in the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus as we share in His suffering and in His glory. Believers stand on the knowledge of God from His Word.
When it seems like confusion and chaos are threatening every circumstance in your life, will you rest on professional advice, intuition, or the Word of God? When it seems like you are fighting battles all alone, will you stand on what you know about God and His character? When you struggle with finding peace and comfort in this world, will you stand on what you know about God and His promises? Will you begin to share all you know about God with someone who needs Him?
Father God, help me to be steady, grounded, and hungry for the knowledge of You and Your Word. Help me to stand on what I know to be true about You and not be moved by what my eyes see. Let my peace be found in You and rooted in Your promises. Lord, give me opportunities to share all that You have taught me with someone who needs You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.