In context
Paul has been talking about what is ours “in Christ.” In this post we are focusing on what is
ours through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
In the previous post we made reference to scripture that declares Him to
be the surety of our salvation, the One whose presence in us guarantees our future
inheritance in Christ.
Colossians 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
“In whom” =
specifically refers to Christ, but includes Father and Spirit
Scripture declares God to
be the source of all wisdom and knowledge.
Exodus 31:1 & 3 And the
LORD spake unto Moses, saying, And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of
workmanship,
Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out
of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom
and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge
The “treasures of wisdom
and knowledge” reference spiritual understanding of what is truly
valuable. I thought it was interesting
that the Greek for treasures
referenced “a deposit.” It is “in
Christ” that we obtain the deposit for all the blessings that are yet to come
as a result of the salvation He has provided for us. That deposit is in the person of the Holy
Spirit. Paul specifically states this
truth in Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted
in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed
with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance
until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
“earnest” = a pledge, i.e. part of the purchase-money or property given
in advance as security for the rest……….a deposit
Colossians 2:4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing
words.
Paul is
declaring the truth clearly to the Colossians in hopes of preventing them from
being deceived by smooth talking false teachers. There are many people who know how to use
words to deceive those who don’t possess spiritual understanding of the truth
of God’s word. I am amazed at how easily
people are deceived today by those who have a message that panders to what they
want to hear. Paul is very direct with
his words to Timothy.
1Timothy 6:3-9 If any man teach
otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is
according to godliness; He is proud, knowing
nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh
envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt
minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from
such withdraw thyself….But they that
will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and
hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and
oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred
concerning the faith.
Note: Verse 5 from 1Timothy 6 is a clear refutation
of the prosperity gospel so popular today.
I also love the phrase “science falsely so called” (from verse 20). There are so many who claim that science
supports their anti-biblical views; their claims, however, do not change the
truth. Much of what is purported to be
truth in science today is actually just unproven theory. Most recently the discovery of subatomic
particles called neutrinos have called into question the validity of Einstein’s
theory of relativity. It seems to me
that God must smile every time He allows man another glimpse of just how much
he has yet to learn.
Colossians 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the
spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in
Christ.
This verse is
an expression of Paul’s spirit connection to the believers at Colosse. He couldn’t be with them in the flesh; but
since the body of Christ is a spiritual entity bound together in Christ through
the Holy Spirit, he felt a spiritual connection with them. That connection was enhanced through the
report he had received from Epaphras.
The knowledge of their vibrant testimony brought happiness to Paul since
it was a testimony of firm commitment to their faith in Christ as their
Savior. It is our consistent application
of the truth of God’s word in our lives that gives evidence to the world of the
sincerity of our faith. It is the
consistency of our testimony that encourages or discourages others in the body
of Christ and that either encourages or discourages the unbeliever to want what
we have in Christ.
(to be continued...)
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