Day 20
Colossians 2:1–4 (NET)
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those who have not met me face to face. My goal is that their hearts, having been knit together in love, may be encouraged, and that they may have all the riches that assurance brings in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will deceive you through arguments that sound reasonable.
Paul and Timothy are writing a letter to the churches in Colossae and Laodicea, two ancient cities where they had established churches. They are sharing what is on their heart for those people and for others who would read this letter, so that includes us!
In the second verse, Paul expresses his goal for people and begins by saying that he wants people to be “knit together in love”, that is - connected to each other, bound together by love for God and for one another and he wants them to be encouraged. In addition, he wants people to be rich - excellent! :) But before we jump to conclusions about becoming rich, let’s see what kind of riches Paul wants us to have. The verse continues - “That they may have all the riches that assurance brings…” So, assurance brings riches... We will come back to that idea. For now, let’s consider how Paul expects us to have assurance. He goes on saying, “in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ.” What is the “mystery”?
Paul clarifies that it is Jesus! In other places in scripture, the “mystery” is the gospel. So we can understand the mystery to be Jesus and the work He did on earth to bring salvation to humankind. Paul goes on to say that in Jesus is all wisdom and knowledge and he names these things as “treasures”!
To summarize Paul here:
Riches = assurance. And we have assurance by understanding Jesus and what He did for us.
Treasure = wisdom and knowledge. And we find wisdom and knowledge in Jesus because He has it all!
So Paul wants us to be rich and have treasure! And that means that we would have assurance because we know Jesus and understand the gospel - what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection. And he wants us to have treasure - wisdom and knowledge through Jesus!
That brings us to the question - is assurance really riches? Let’s think about that.
If I was sure of what God thinks of me, I would be ….
If I was sure of my place in the kingdom of God, I would be…..
If I was sure about God’s love for me, I would be…..
If I knew Jesus better, I would be…
If I found my wisdom and knowledge in Jesus, I would be….
So what do you think? Are you rich if you have assurance in Jesus?
In the second verse, Paul expresses his goal for people and begins by saying that he wants people to be “knit together in love”, that is - connected to each other, bound together by love for God and for one another and he wants them to be encouraged. In addition, he wants people to be rich - excellent! :) But before we jump to conclusions about becoming rich, let’s see what kind of riches Paul wants us to have. The verse continues - “That they may have all the riches that assurance brings…” So, assurance brings riches... We will come back to that idea. For now, let’s consider how Paul expects us to have assurance. He goes on saying, “in their understanding of the knowledge of the mystery of God, namely, Christ.” What is the “mystery”?
Paul clarifies that it is Jesus! In other places in scripture, the “mystery” is the gospel. So we can understand the mystery to be Jesus and the work He did on earth to bring salvation to humankind. Paul goes on to say that in Jesus is all wisdom and knowledge and he names these things as “treasures”!
To summarize Paul here:
Riches = assurance. And we have assurance by understanding Jesus and what He did for us.
Treasure = wisdom and knowledge. And we find wisdom and knowledge in Jesus because He has it all!
So Paul wants us to be rich and have treasure! And that means that we would have assurance because we know Jesus and understand the gospel - what Jesus accomplished through his death and resurrection. And he wants us to have treasure - wisdom and knowledge through Jesus!
That brings us to the question - is assurance really riches? Let’s think about that.
If I was sure of what God thinks of me, I would be ….
If I was sure of my place in the kingdom of God, I would be…..
If I was sure about God’s love for me, I would be…..
If I knew Jesus better, I would be…
If I found my wisdom and knowledge in Jesus, I would be….
So what do you think? Are you rich if you have assurance in Jesus?
Prayer Focus for today:
Ask God to show you what He thinks of you. Sit with Him in His love and allow Him to assure you.
Then ask God to show you what He thinks of someone else in the room. If prompted by God, share your impression with them - either through a note or by telling them personally.
Ask God to show you what He thinks of you. Sit with Him in His love and allow Him to assure you.
Then ask God to show you what He thinks of someone else in the room. If prompted by God, share your impression with them - either through a note or by telling them personally.
Posted in Month of Prayer 2026
No Comments