Colossians 2:1-10
We need to constantly spread the gospel and study because this is the time to guard up the faith! In this uncertain time that the whole world has been experiencing, it’s good to guard up our faith in God through the Scriptures. And when we do, biblical faith will not disappoint us.
According to Colossians chapter 2 verses 1 to 10, there are steps that we can take to guard up our faith so here’s the first one.
1. Strive to grow in spiritual understanding.
“I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:1-3.
· To contend means to strive hard.
· Paul strived so hard to grow all believers in spiritual understanding of Christ.
· Understanding Christ’s incarnation takes faith to believe.
· The fullness of God is present in Christ’s human body. See John 1:1-3.
“39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” John 5:39.
· The Old Testament looked ahead of Jesus as the coming Messiah.
· The New Testament looked to the Old Testament for the promised Savior.
· Jesus (and His redemptive work) is the central theme of the Bible.
2. Strengthen your conviction by application.
“4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.” Colossians 2:4-6
· We cannot strengthen our faith convictions without imitating Jesus in words and deeds.
· Our assurance of salvation is best seen in how we live our lives.
“5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith good-ness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.” 2 Peter 1:5-8
· The application of biblical goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance leads to godliness.
· The practice of godliness will protect us against false teachings.
3. Steer clear of false beliefs.
“7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” Colossians 2:7-8.
· Rooted means to be deeply entrenched and build up on Christ as the solid foundation of our faith.
So, how do you keep being rooted in the word and sustain your guard up? Several ways to keep your guard up.
· First, make Christ the basis of examining all principles and belief system. Do they take the pre-eminence away from Christ? Do they diminish the Person and the completed redemptive work of Christ on the cross?
· Second, fully embrace the authority and sufficiency of the Bible.
· Third, draw strength on Christ’s fullness. v.9
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