The Book of Colossians Pt. 18 Jesus Christ: The Power & Wisdom Of God!

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; 

We began digging into Colossians two in our last post. We noted the great physical and spiritual conflicts that the apostle Paul endured for the sake of the gospel. 

In addition, he wanted the Colossians to know that even though he had not yet visited them in person, he still prayed hard for their needs daily.

Have full assurance in the Person of Jesus Christ

Colossians 2:2  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;

We studied the first part of verse 2 in our last post. We learned about what it means to have our hearts knit together in Christ's love for one another. 

Holy love for Jesus Christ knits the hearts of Christians one to another. Faith and love for Jesus both contribute to our comfort. The stronger our faith is, and the warmer our love for Christ is, the greater our comfort will be. 

Now, we will look at the next phrase "unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding." 

"Full assurance" means being most certain and confident in the veracity of the gospel of Christ. 

"Understanding" means that repeated exposure to the preaching of God's word causes truth to constantly flow into our hearts, like small streams flowing separately until they meet and merge into a large river. 

The word "acknowledgment" means studying the gospel and gaining a precise and correct knowledge of the truth. 

Far too many Pastors and Christians are sloppy in their doctrine and thinking, and this is not acceptable with God. Our Father gave us a perfect, correct and reliable record of the gospel and all things associated with it. 

Why? So that we might know the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9-14). 

Thus, it is wrong to take a verse or a fragment of a verse from its context, and seek to make a doctrine of it. 

We are to study to show ourselves approved unto God, hard workers who diligently seek to accurately understand His truth and communicate to other people. 

1 Thessalonians 1:5  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

When the gospel of Jesus Christ is preached, the Spirit of God empowers it. 

Those who receive it and respond with repentant faith in Christ are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, who indwells each believer. Thus, He brings full assurances regarding the genuineness of our salvation into our heart.

Hebrews 6:11  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

The writer of the book of Hebrews encouraged those Jewish believers to hold fast to the gospel truth that they received and believed. 

Gospel truth brings full assurance of Christ's mighty work on the cross and the security of our salvation into our hearts.

When our knowledge grows in our understanding of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ, then our soul prospers.  

As we acquire a more clear, distinct, methodical knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, then we find rich blessings and strong encouragement from the Lord. 

Paul is speaking of understanding the mystery that was previously concealed, but is now made known concerning the Father, by calling the Gentiles into the Christian church. 

Paul prayed that they might have a most unshakable certainty of the truth of Christianity, of their own salvation, and of the general design of God to admit the Gentiles into his Church. This is the grand mystery of God, which was laid open by the preaching of the Gospel.

He is not talking about gaining intellectual or "head" knowledge whereby we can pass a theology test. No, he is speaking about knowing Jesus Christ as the Spirit of God teaches us and leads us led into the meaning and design of it.

God's glorious wisdom hid in Jesus Christ

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

Paul tells us that in Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of Divine wisdom and knowledge. He previously said that all fulness dwells in Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:19) but here, he mentions specifically, the treasures of Divine wisdom and knowledge. 

John 3:34  For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

There is a fulness of wisdom in Jesus Christ, as He perfectly revealed the will of God to mankind. 

The Father gave His Spirit to Jesus without measure, that is, Christ had all of the Holy Spirit in Him. This is another example of the unity of the Trinity of the Godhead.  

This is why Paul tells us that the full supply of God's eternal wisdom and knowledge are in Jesus Christ. This wonderful wisdom and knowledge are hidden from the Devil and the world at large so that God's counsels might go forward unimpeded. 

Notice that the treasures of wisdom are not hidden from us, but are for us, for all who are in Christ. 

Those who seek wisdom and knowledge from God make application to Christ. We must draw upon the rich treasure which is laid up for us in him, and from the glorious things that are hidden in him. 

Jesus Christ: the power and wisdom of God

1 Corinthians 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 

Paul restates this truth to the believers at Corinth. Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation through His mighty work on the cross. 

He is the beautiful wisdom of God, because the Devil thought he was victorious when Christ died, not knowing that God's plan was for Christ to die in our place. 

The glory of Christ's resurrection exploded the Devil's expectations and no doubt, sent him into vicious paroxysms of unfettered rage. 

Are you rejoicing in Christ?

1 Corinthians 1:30,31  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31)  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 

When a sinner is born again into the kingdom of God, he or she finds that Jesus is all our righteousness, sanctification, redemption and wisdom. 

Therefore, we should be those who shout out for joy, because Jesus paid it all, that we might live in Him. 

The great, eternal mystery: God manifest in the flesh!

1 Timothy 3:16  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

This is the pivotal verse describing the mystery of God. Paul called it the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh. 

How? God became a man through the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.

As a man, and yet divine in nature, Jesus lived a life in perfect obedience to the holy law of God, something no other man has ever done. 

Therefore, Jesus voluntarily went to the cross in order to bear the weight of our sins, and pay for them with His life. Death had no hold on Christ for the wages of sin is death, but He never sinned. 

He had power to lay His life down on the cross and power to take it up again three days later (John 10:17-18).

Jesus' work on the cross is what every single sacrifice of the Old Testament pointed toward. God's perfect Lamb, dying once for the sins of all humanity. 

This is the power of the cross, the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the culmination of the wisdom of God for mankind's redemption from sin.

This is why Paul triumphantly exclaimed that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ because it is the power of God unto salvation for all who hear and heed it (Romans 1:16). 

Thoughts to Ponder...

May the Spirit of God help us see how all the beautiful threads of prophecy and pictures from the Old Testament, find their full and perfect fulfillment in the words, works and Person of Jesus Christ. 

Hebrews 1:1-8  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2)  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3)  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4)  Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5)  For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6)  And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7)  And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 8)  But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Heb 2:9-15  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10)  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11)  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12)  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13)  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 14)  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15)  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

May the power, richness and beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ, the risen and glorified Son of God, wash over us as we read these texts from Hebrews. 

May our faith be strengthened and our love for Jesus increased. 

May our doubts and wavering be put off from us.

May our hearts be filled with a lifelong love for Christ and a passion to participate in His Great Commission work.

Bob