Be Encouraged in Knowing God

Rick Terletzky
12 minutes ago
2 min read

Colossians 2

[1] 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. [4] I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. [5] For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness

of your faith in Christ.

How is it that we can have full assurance in something that is a vast mystery? Only in our understanding of Christ will we come to realize the resolve of such a disparity. While we are quick to think of Christ as the Messiah, Paul stresses an important aspect of Jesus’ presence with us.

Jesus Christ is the revealed Word of God who gives us wisdom and knowledge of who God, our Father, is. And that wisdom, as much as we understand, we stand in awe that there is still more to God beyond understanding.

Be reminded that Paul has already told the church of Colasse the role that Jesus plays. Christ is the visible image of a hidden treasure. He is a revelation in knowing the Holiness of God. As we come to know the visible image of God, we come into further understanding of our immeasurable God.

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24

In Jeremiah 9, it says that coming to know and understand God doesn’t come from earthly wisdom, human strength, or richly offerings but from God who sends us the good news of who He is. God is the full character of steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. How can we come to understand these traits? Because Jesus is the practice of these traits as He demonstrates all of them on the Cross.

It is on the Cross that we come to see the vastness of how set apart God is in comparison to all else.

It’s not about obtaining the higher knowledge of God’s infinite holiness or becoming as knowledgeable as God, but having active faith. God is more than knowledgeable data, but sovereign. Because of Jesus, sustaining us, we can be in relationship with a sovereign God.

Paul stresses firmness and good order, meaning a rational response to God’s Word, for the people of Colossae. Not because of their knowledge of God but because of their exercising of relational trust in Christ.