Simple Devotion to Christ!

The problem of Colossian church was the lack of appreciation for Christ. This problem is not a unique “Colossian” problem, but the problem of the contemporary church. In Colossians 2:3 Paul made it clear that if you have Christ, you have all the heavenly treasure that there is. However, believers are often persuaded by the devil’s delusion that this is not enough. This is the devil’s ancient tactic to deceive people that they need something else besides Christ to make them happy. He has succeeded in the Garden of Eden with Eve and unfortunately he has succeeds many times with us. In 1 Cor. 11:3 Paul expressed his worries about the church, “But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be lead astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” This danger has motivated Paul to fight for Colossian church which he did on his knees in Roman prison and to write letter to the Colossians. The main point of this book is to bring believers to a full understanding of their riches in Christ. Since Christians have everything necessary for their salvation and progressive sanctification, their joy must be expressed in overflowing gratitude to God.

In order to progress spiritually a Christian must learn this lesson well. Christ is all that Christians need to be extremely joyful! Paul is calling Christian to have a simple devotion to Christ and have progress in it!

In Colossians 2:1-7 the author uses several metaphors to illustrate the progress of such devotion to Christ. First, we must learn to be devoted soldiers in Christ’s army. A soldier must know who his leaders and fellow comrades are in order to stand against the schemes of an enemy (2:5). He also needs to learn his treasure and his place in God’s regiment. Paul also uses the metaphor of a traveler, walking with Christ, pointing out that the life in Christ must be progressive. Walking in Christ is not walking on the treadmill, but must have obvious progression in Christ-likeness. Thirdly, the author uses agricultural metaphor of a tree. Many times in the Bible Christian is likened to a tree (Ps. 1; Jer. 17:8), rooted in God’s garden. This illustrates the blessing of being grounded in God’s word. Fourthly, Paul likens believers to a building that has been built continually on the solid foundation (2:7). All of these metaphors create a picture of a solid, progressive, secure devotion of the Church to Christ alone, growing in gratitude to Christ her Lord.

Paul ends up verse 7 with an overflowing gratitude to God for all the riches that believers have in Christ. In fact, it is almost impossible not to be grateful for all we have received and possess in Christ if we really grasp this reality. We have everything we need to progress spiritually. Although we are still under development we are secure in our progress, because we have Christ. He is all that we need and it bids us to give Him praise! Are you super abounding with thanks? Are you happy with what you have? If not, think again!