The Book of Colossians Pt. 17 Let God's People Be United In Christ's Love

Paul's intercessory prayers for Christians he had not yet seen.

Colossians 2:1  For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 

The apostle Paul begins the next chapter of his epistle to the Colossians by referencing the many struggles he experienced for the sake of preaching the gospel. 

He wanted to show that there was a great contrast between an apostle called by God, and those false teachers who sowed confusion among the saints at Colosse questioning their faith. 

There were two other churches within close proximity to the church at Colosse. Laodicea and Hierapolis. The letter from Paul was shared between all three churches, so that they benefitted from the same apostolic teaching. 

Gnostics and other false teachers sought to enrich themselves at the expense of the believers. They wanted false teaching to have more influence over the people than the mighty gospel of Christ. 

The "great conflict" literally means experiencing agony that towers over all other things in life. Not only did Paul physically suffer many times and in many places, but he also agonized in prayer for the churches.

The weighty burden of care for all the churches was something that Paul gladly shouldered and he faithfully carried all their needs to the Lord in prayer. The Gnostics were in it for personal gain but Paul had genuine love and care for each New Testament church. 

False teachers motivated by money and power. 

Titus 1:10,11  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11)  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 

False teachers were predicted to plague the church and sadly, many came from among the church. We might expect sinners who do not know Christ, to spread lies and hurl false accusations against the work of God in His churches. 

It is far more bitter that some became deniers of Christ and opponents of His cross who grew up in a church setting.  

Paul said that there were many false teachers in his time. He called them "unruly" which means those who cannot be brought under control. They were "vain talkers" who propagated empty, senseless speculation. 

These "deceivers" had one objective in mind: to seduce believers in Christ away from the Lord and His truth. In sending instruction to Titus, Paul noted that lying teachers were destroying or shaking the faith of many in the church. 

Christian families were being turned away from the straight gate and the narrow way that leads to eternal life. They were seduced through the wide gate and onto the broad road that leads to eternal destruction and many sorrows. 

False teachers were motivated by "filthy lucre" which is spreading lies in order to gain wealth or power. It is filthy lucre because it diverted funds from the worthy things of God intended to be used in caring for the churches and his apostles.

They "corrupt" the word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17).

Lying mouths in the church can be stopped by exposing their lies with the light of God's eternal truth. 

The church and its leaders, must part ways with false teachers. 

1 Timothy 6:5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 

Paul also instructed young Timothy about his need to confront false teachers and if they refused to repent, then he and the church would have to separate themselves from these evil doers. 

The word "withdraw" means to shun the false teachers, to make them leave, or physically remove one's self from them.

Our hearts must be comforted and knit together in Christ's love. 

Colossians 2:2,3  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; 3)  In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

Now we are able to see Paul's heart for all those believers at Colosse. He tells us the content of his agonizing prayers on their behalf. 

First, the apostle prayed that their hearts might be comforted, because false teachers had shaken the faith of many people. The word "comforted" means to be exhorted, encouraged and strengthened. It means to receive consolation for all God gives us in Christ. 

The blessings of having the same mind as Christ. 

Romans 12:16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Have the same mind toward each other. Many times in the church in America, believers do not have the same mind toward each other and when something happens that they do not like, they leave in anger. 

Instead, if we have the same mind toward each other that is governed by the love of Christ, we should work things out whenever there is a difference between believers. 

1Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

He prayed for them to have their hearts 
"knit together" as one group of believers, united and dedicated to carrying out the great commission and living for the glory of God. 

We are to glorify God together with one mind (Romans 15:6).

We are to be of one mind together and live in peace (2 Corinthians 13:11).

We are to stand fast in one Spirit with one mind together striving for the gospel (Philippians 1:27).

We are to have the same love together for each other, be in one accord and of the same mind (Philippians 2:2).

We are to have one mind together to be guided by Christ's love, having compassion for other believers, and being tenderhearted toward each other (1 Peter 3:8). 

John 13:34,35  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35)  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

This is the clear teaching of Jesus Christ about how believers should interact with each other. 

The primary driver in our church relationships is love for one another. This is how the world will know that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This selfless, sacrificial love is what Paul prayed for the believers at Colosse. 

Loving one another is Christ's command to us.

John 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

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

Ezekiel 11:19,20  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 20)  That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 

This is God's promise to all who trust Him. He will give us one heart so that we might do the tasks that he has appointed for us to complete. 

God puts His Spirit in us so that we have a new spirit and He removes the old, stony, sin hardened heart and gives us a new, soft, tender heart. 

Why? So that we might walk in humble obedience to His Word. We are adopted into His family and are His people, and Jehovah is our God!

When God's people have this heart of love, He does mighty works. 

Acts 2:46,47  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47)  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

Here is a snapshot of the early church. They acted with unity and one accord in meeting to worship. They enjoyed their newfound fellowship in Christ and were of a single heart, loving and serving God and loving and serving each other!

Thoughts to Ponder...

Paul prayed with passion and intensity for believers that he had never met. We can also pray for fellow-Christians of whom we have no personal knowledge, and with whom we have no conversation. 

We can think, and pray, and be concerned for one another, even for those we have never seen in the flesh, but we may hope to meet in heaven. 

This is why we pray for our missionaries, because we do not see them frequently and their needs are great. 

This is why we pray for believers in countries where the government is hostile to the gospel of Christ. 

What unites our hearts in all of this is the indwelling Spirit of God, who knits us together in the church which is Christ's body. 

He sheds abroad the love of God in our hearts and this is why we can love one another as our Lord commanded. 

The world around us is seeking this kind of genuine, Spirit generated love. We must live out the truth of the gospel, so that people may be drawn to the Lord Jesus Christ. If He is lifted up in our lives, He will draw all men unto Himself. 

May the Holy Spirit of God help us understand these truths and may we seek a fresh supply of Divine love, so that we might love one another aright.

Bob