Colossians 2:1-5
“I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose 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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.”
Introduction
In sports, it is vitally important to keep your eye on the ball, puck, or birdie so that you can direct it where you want it to go: into the net, into the hole, through the
hoop, across the goal line, or through the uprights. The difference between winning and losing in athletic competition often depends on the athletes’ ability to keep their eyes on what is most important. If you take your eyes off the ball and are unable to find it, then you are no longer in control.
In a similar way, it is vitally important in your walk with the Lord to keep your eyes on Jesus. “It’s All About Christ!” is a trustworthy phrase that keeps us focused on Jesus. I believe that Paul’s teaching in Colossians 2:1-5 encourages us to keep our focus on the Lord for two reasons. First, we focus on Jesus because He is worthy. Second, we focus on Jesus so that we will not be deceived by fine-sounding arguments.
Colossians 2:1-3
In Colossians 2:1-3, Paul encourages us to focus on Jesus because He is worthy. He wanted his readers to come to a complete understanding of Christ because in Him are found all wisdom and knowledge. There is no one who can compare to Jesus. No one has greater wisdom. No one has greater knowledge. The writer of the book of Hebrews put it this way: “Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
One outcome of our focus on Christ is that our love for Jesus will overflow from us and influence all of our relationships. He will encourage our hearts. When our hearts are encouraged by Christ, we walk by faith and not by sight. This means that we are so secure in His love for us that we can trust Him completely, even though outwardly our world may be falling apart. We can stand strong on the promise found in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Paul wrote that Jesus will unite us with others through His love. We now share the same values and convictions, which are to bring glory to Christ. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are adopted into the family of God and united as spiritual brothers and sisters. Our love for Him helps unite us with other believers.
We can see how valuable the mystery of God is. Paul used the terms “full riches” and “all the treasures” to describe “complete understanding” and “wisdom and knowledge.” These things are priceless and should be valued highly. They are found only in Christ. No other mindset, teaching, or philosophy can compare in value.
Colossians 2:4-5
In Colossians 2:4-5, Paul encourages us to focus on Jesus so that we will not be deceived by fine-sounding arguments. Apparently, false teachings and heresies were attacking the Colossian church so strongly that Paul needed to bring the antidote, which is to focus on Jesus.
It is interesting that when we focus on Jesus, our hearts are encouraged and we are united with others in His love. But the moment we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on the problems of life around us, we become discouraged in heart and polarized by disunity. This makes us vulnerable to the deceit of the enemy. The enemy then comes with fine-sounding arguments to explain why the world around us is falling apart.
The origin of fine-sounding arguments goes back to the Garden of Eden, as seen in Genesis 3. The serpent planted the seed of doubt in Eve’s heart with the question, 
“Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?'” Eve’s mistake was that she listened to the serpent as if he had her best interests at heart and as if he were God’s equal. Who was the serpent that he should question the Creator?
We live in a fallen world that deals with the consequences of sin. As believers, we will experience heartache, illness, and even death. The world will present its explanations and philosophies of life in an effort to show a “better way,” a way of “enlightenment.” But who can have answers to life that are better than those of Christ, the One “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”?
Here is a solid biblical test to determine whether a philosophy or teaching is true. Ask this two-part question: “Does this teaching agree with God’s Word, and does it bring glory to Jesus Christ?” The philosophies and teachings of humanity may sound intriguing, and they may draw the conclusions that you want to hear. But that does not mean that they proclaim truth. Hold fine-sounding arguments up to the light of Truth, and you will see them exposed as heresy.
Paul wrote that he was struggling for the believers to know the mystery of God, who is Jesus Christ. I do not believe that this struggle was aimed at directing them to begin focusing their lives on Jesus, because he complimented them for being “orderly” and “firm” in their faith. I believe that Paul labored to keep the believers focused on Christ so that they could stand firm in the midst of daily spiritual attacks.
An unverified story told about Albert Einstein’s wife illustrates this point. According to the story, reporters asked her to explain her husband’s theory of relativity. She supposedly replied, “I don’t understand it, but I know Albert, and if he says it is true, then it is true.” There are times when we feel incompetent to stand against the world’s fine-sounding arguments. But our best defense is not merely our ability to articulate our beliefs, but rather to keep our focus on the Truth, Jesus Christ, and to live lives that honor Him. In other words, “I may not understand your argument, but I know Jesus, and He is the One who has all wisdom and knowledge.”
Application
We are being directed to live our lives according to the theme of our study of Colossians: “It’s All About Christ!” When we focus on Jesus, we will be encouraged in heart, united in love, and equipped to stand firm against the deceit of the enemy. When our focus moves away from the Lord, we become discouraged, divided, and susceptible to fine-sounding arguments. The antidote is to examine our hearts honestly and recommit our focus to Jesus. We can then follow Paul’s example found in Philippians 3:13-14: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Let’s pray.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I commit my heart, mind, soul, and strength to You. Help me to focus on You daily, my Savior and Lord. Teach me Your Truth so that I can stand firm in Your love and bring You glory. Amen.
For You to Consider
- List three reasons why you may become discouraged in heart, and then state how Jesus can bring encouragement.
- What are some causes of disunity in the body of Christ? How can focusing on Jesus bring unity?
- Why do fine-sounding arguments tempt believers?
- What must you do to come to a complete understanding of “the mystery of God, namely, Christ”?
- What must you do to keep your heart and mind focused on Jesus Christ?