Colossians 2:1-3 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; {2} That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; {3} In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

I remember my Grandma Elma telling me that she was a little girl when the unsinkable ship called The Titanic sunk. She couldn’t remember a lot of the details as she was in her late 90s at that time. She did remember the adults being so upset because so many people died. What caused the deaths of more than 1500 people? No one is certain of any one cause, but all the causes related to human error. The ship was traveling at high speed – 22 knots – in waters known to harbor icebergs. The wireless radio operator received a warning an hour before the accident. Another ship close by named The Californian radioed to say it had been stopped by dense ice. The operator did not pass the information on to the Captain of the ship. There is also the possibility that the builders of the Titanic cut costs by using lower quality rivets than they should have when constructing the ship. When the accident occurred, the Titanic only had the bare minimum of lifeboats, and in the panic many of these lifeboats were launched at less than their capacity.

Human error. Though it was claimed that the Titanic’s Captain Edward John Smith said, “Even God Himself couldn’t sink this ship”, I don’t believe God did it. I believe human error did it. Human error brought sin into this world. Human error is responsible for much of the evil found in the world today.

As the Apostle addresses the Churches of Colossae and Laodicea, he says:

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;

Word Study The words “great conflict” are very interesting. The Apostle uses the word ἀγών agṓn, {pronounced ag-one’}, which was often used to describe the Greek Olympic games. You could say that Paul is saying “there are forces within me, emotions, competing with one another because of my love for you”. He knows that the Churches at Colossae and Laodicea are located in areas where they can be overcome with human error. As he writes this letter to the Colossians, he directs that this letter be read in the Church of Laodicea:

Colossians 4:15-16 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. {16} And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Both Colossae and Laodicea were in danger of shipwreck. Many local Churches today are shipwrecked because of these factors.

Biblical Love Binds The Church Together

Colossians 2:2-3 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; {3} In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The Church can get off course “in love”. Jesus made love one of the great focuses of our faith. Jesus was asked, “What is the Great Commandment in the Law”? Jesus promptly answered:

Matthew 22:37-38 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.

God is to be loved ABOVE all others and ABOVE all else. God is to occupy FIRST PLACE in our hearts. Not our spouses, not our children, nor even ourselves. God.
God is to be first.

Our Lord was quoting the Law of God. The Second giving of the Law states:

Deuteronomy 6:5 thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

What God has said takes precedent over what others have said. What God has recorded in Scripture is what we are to give preeminence to. Those who are saved by the Blood of the Lamb are to love the God Who demands the Lamb. We are to hear what our God says and obey it. The Scripture says:

1 John 5:2-5 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

I am told that there are preachers who have backed away from the truth of the Scripture because one of their children or one of their relatives has “come out”. What has God told us?

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

God must be loved first. He must have our hearts above all others. Jesus said:

Luke 14:26-27 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

The believer in Christ must “hate”, the Greek μισέω miséō, {pronounced mis-eh’-o} their loved ones! That word miséō literally means “to hate, detest, by extension, to love much less”. Now did Jesus mean for us to literally HATE our offspring and those closest to us? No, absolutely not. We will see in a few moments that we are to love even our enemies, and do good to those who do bad to us. What was Jesus saying? He was saying that, when we compare the love we have for Him and His commandments with the love we have for others, that our love for Christ will be much, much greater in scope and drive than our love for other humans. God must occupy and rule our hearts.

Our love for God must be greater – much greater – than any love we have for those who are NOT God.

As much as I love my wife and children, I love my God more. This is natural. This is for what I was created. The Christian faith is a supernatural faith. When a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, God the Holy Spirit comes to that person and causes them to be “born again of the Spirit” (John 3:3, 7; 1 Peter 1:23). God then causes a change of that person’s heart. The Bible says:

Hebrews 10:12-17 but this man {Jesus}, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Salvation from sin is always accompanied with a great l.ove for God and His Word. Jesus asked His disciples:

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

God must be premier in our hearts and minds. We must love Him IF we are saved. The Apostle said:

Romans 8:5-9 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Right after Jesus said:

Matthew 22:37-38 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment.

He continued with Matthew 22:39-40 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Love for God must be premier. Following love for God, we are to love people made in the image of God. We are to treat others the way that we want to be treated. This even applies to our enemies. We are told in another place:

Romans 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Love is the driving force of God’s Church. Believers in Christ are follow Jesus’ command:

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The sacrificial love that Jesus showed to us, by which we are saved, is the same sacrificial love that we are to show to one another as His Church. It is this love that causes “their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love” (Colossians 2:2).

Passion For God’s Truth Empowers The Church

Colossians 2:2-6 … to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ 3 in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

The wisdom and knowledge that we find in Biblical truth is called a “treasure”. The Apostle said in another place:

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

What God has said is true, and has established is true, is true even today. God is infinite in wisdom and knowledge. The Church must always be careful to cherish and feed from the Word of God, and to never accept the lesser word of man in it’s place. The Apostle says:

Colossians 2:8-9 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. {9} For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily

When “philosophy and vain deceit” from the world enter into the congregational thought, it is not long before the traditions of men rather than the Word of God reign. Jesus excoriated the Pharisees – the religious conservatives of His day – for departing from the Word of God in favor of the word of man, or the traditions of the elders. He said:

Mark 7:6-13 … Well hath {Isaiah} prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

I have seen this first hand in churches I have pastored. In one Church, two deacons – who should have been filled with the Spirit – were filled with hatred for one another. Their constant battling caused the Church to divide, and eventually collapse. Though I spoke to these men frequently on the subject of love and forgiveness, they rejected God’s Word, to the damage of their own souls and the life of the church. The Bible warns us:

Galatians 6:6-10 Let him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

God’s Word is Truth (John 17:17). The word of man may or may not be valid truth, but what God has said will stand forever. When we allow the Word of God and our love for it to be replaced with worldliness, it will not be long before Christ leaves the Church. In the Book of Revelation Jesus warned the Church at Laodicea (as well as the Church at Colossae):

Revelation 3:14-20 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; {15} I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. {16} So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. {17} Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: {18} I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see. {19} As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. {20} Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

The Church at Laodicea had so rejected the Word of Christ for the word of the Lord that our Lord was literally locked outside of the church. Sadly, this is true in much of the Church in the world today. Jesus rebuked them, and called them to return to Him. “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see”. The Church must get back to the Word of God.

The Church of Christ is to be IN the world, but not OF the world. We are to cling to the Scripture, the Holy Bible. God saved us through the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son so that He might bring us into HIS Kingdom. We are His, and He is ours.

Galatians 4:3-7 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: {4}But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, {5} To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. {6} And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. {7}Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Dear Church, we do not belong to the world, but to God our Savior. We are adopted Children of the Most High. Let us not act like children of Adam, nor children of the devil, but like Children of God. Let us “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness … laying hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:11-12)”.

Colossians 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him ..

Have you “received Christ Jesus the Lord”? If you have, walk “in him”. Jesus said:

John 8:12 … I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

We were at one time darkness. But having received the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, we are LIGHT IN THE LORD (Ephesians 5:8). We do not belong to this world. We belong to Christ. We belong to God. If we say we have fellowship with God and yet walk in the darkness of this world, then we are liars, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:6). We are children of God, children of the light.

May God draw you close to His side as you walk before Him in love. Amen and Amen!