Colossians 1:24-2:5

Context:  Where does our energy, power and completeness come from?  It does not come from human tradition, religious rules or new age movements.  It comes from Christ alone.  Paul wanted the church of Colossae not to be deceived by the growing movements around them that were teaching new stuff, but to fully trust in Christ.

Colossians 1:24-2:5

Let it be known that I am proud that I get to suffer for you my brothers and sisters.  There is a lot of tragedy on this Earth for following Christ and I am taking my share the same way Christ took his.  His body is the church and I am bound to serve it till death because that is what God has put as my purpose in life.  My main mission: to share with you the Word of God in all its bulk.  It was dormant and subtle in the past, but now it is a gift ready for the taking.  God desires the Word to be your discovery and fortune...which is Jesus Christ living inside of you and the anticipation that he reigns over all.

We share his greatness, keeping our church educated and wise so that the end result is sophisticated Christians who lack nothing in Christ's gifts.  I will sweat, bleed and toil with every energy Christ gives me to accomplish this goal.

And I am fighting hard for you and for those at Laodicea.  Though none of you have actually seen me, my aim is to lift up your down trodden spirits to the very core, while bringing us together over a foundation of love.  This will give you the full reward which is understanding this new revelation in life--the revelation of Christ.  In him is all the information and understanding you will ever need to be the person you were ever meant to be.  So don't be fooled by the smooth talk of professors teaching different philosophies.  Even though I am not here to fight every battle I am with you in a spiritual sense.  I cannot wait to see how your training in Christ makes you stronger believers.