Colossians 2:1-3 - A Great Struggle

Today, Sunday May 30 A Great Struggle Colossians 2:1-3 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, 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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Paul is writing this letter to the saints in Colossae to encourage and warn them about being deceived by the false philosophies that were being taught by false teachers. Paul is in a prison in Rome when he hears this news of the problems in this church. He had never been to Colossae as far as we know and he had never met these saint “face to face”. Paul describes his response to this sad news by saying he had a “great struggle” for them. Can you imagine this? Paul is in prison with his own needs and challenges but when he hears about these false teacher deceiving the church about Jesus, he is so deeply moved that he begins to struggle or to wrestle in his spirit and soul as he prays for them and is moved to write this letter. So often when we have difficulties of our own we lose our concern for the welfare of others. We start focusing so much on our own pain, feelings and suffering that we leave little energy or heart for others. I can’t imagine that a Roman prison would be a nice place to be. But Paul not only struggles but has a “great struggle” for them and also for those at Laodicea. Paul wanted the saints in these places to be encouraged in their hearts and instead of having division that was being caused by the false teaching he was praying that they would come together in love. Maybe, when we are suffering, instead of feeling sorry for ourselves and focusing on our problems, we should start praying for the spiritual needs of others. Maybe even for people we have never met that are in other parts of the world. Have you done that lately? We should always remember that, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Your prayers and words of encouragement can make a difference for others who are in spiritual danger! God bless!