Struggling to Comfort the Hearts (1)

[Part 1 of 2] Paul did not say that he struggled so that the Colossians and Laodiceans would see the vision of Christ given in chapter one. According to our concept, this is what he should have said. If verse 2 had been written in this way, it would have been much easier for us to understand. Nevertheless, Paul did not say that he struggled so that the saints would exercise their spirits to see what he had shared with them concerning Christ. He struggled that their hearts might be comforted. Why was it necessary for the hearts of the Colossians to be comforted, knit together in love and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding? It may take years before we could answer this question.

Assurance implies two things: faith and knowledge. When we have faith and knowledge, we have certainty about what we believe. This certainty then becomes our assurance. Paul wrestled so that the hearts of the Colossians would have full assurance. In Colossians the heart is of crucial significance. Here Paul emphasizes the importance of the heart in receiving the revelation concerning Christ. Paul knew that if we would present others full-grown in Christ, we must be concerned about the condition of their hearts.

Prayer Confession Loving Father thank you for this word. Thank you for this revelation concerning the heart having full assurance. Lord, as this assurance being faith and knowledge, we ask for the grace of that we may present every man fully grown in Christ through being concerned about the condition of their hearts in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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