Colossians 2:6-15 – Going the Distance

Have you ever gone on a long hike, perhaps over many days or weeks. Perhaps you have walked the Appalacian Trail or the Pennine Way– maybe you have even tackled a mountain range somewhere like the hike to the Everest Base Camp. Perhaps you have a dream or ambition to tackle a great trail in the years to come, like a portion of the Alps. On a long journey like that, it is essential that you set out prepared to go the distance. If you are going to make it all the way to your planned destination – if you are going to endure – there are certain things you are going to need to be sure you have. Space is limited in the backpack and you need to be sure you have the essentials: the food, water, the correct clothes, the navigation aids. With them, you will be well equipped to thrive on the journey and to arrive at your destination – without them, your very survival is in doubt.

The Apostle Paul was concerned to equip followers of Jesus for the long spiritual walk of the Christian life. He wanted Christians to be ready for a hike of endurance – and he wanted them not only to survive, but to thrive. Notice his heart’s desire, as expressed in verse 6 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Paul was aware that the Colossian Christians faced pressures that could undermine their progress and disrupt their journey. False teachers were in their midst, and their influence threatened the journey of these believers. Paul warned them in verse 8, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” There were those who wre peddling philosophy, lies, human traditions and worldly religion.

One of the messages evidently coming from the false teachers at Colossae was the message that these Colossian Christians did not have all the spiritual resources they needed for a full and complete spiritual life. Paul countered that there is absolutely nothing lacking in Jesus Christ: Jesus is not part God and he is not mere representative of God. No, in Jesus Christ the fullness of deity dwells bodily. He writes, “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” (v.9) There is nothing more to be found in terms of truth or power or completeness – nothing more in all the universe – than that which is found in Jesus Christ.

Fellow Christians, beware if you ever hear the voices of other groups or teachers who would suggest that your spirituality is lacking – and who would call you to a higher level of experience. Here is the truth that you need to know and cling to and rejoice in today: if you have Christ, you have all things. If you have the Spirit of the living God within you, you have the fulness of God. If you have been filled in him through trusting the Saviour, you have been filled indeed. Don’t go chasing after the next great spiritual experience or method. Turn once again to the Lord Jesus, meet him in his word, come to him in prayer, and submit your heart to him that he might work in you and through you – go deeper into the fullness you already have in Christ