Colossians 2

Written on 05/10/2024

Verses 1-4

  • We will have constant assurance and encouragement when we have understanding of God's Word and are unified with our fellow believers through love.

    • Seek both of these things: closeness with believers and understanding of the Word.

  • Verse 3. Remember that all wisdom and knowledge, and every good thing that comes with these, are found in the Father and in Christ.

    • Focus on knowing the Father, and knowing Christ. Don't seek knowledge of spiritual things that are not focused on Jesus. You can be easily deceived if you drift away from focus on Christ (verse 4).

      • As Paul said, “I determined not to know anything among you except Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

 

Verses 5-10

  • Follow Jesus over the course of your life with the same mindset in which you first received Him—by FAITH in Christ

    • Don't turn to legalism and self-righteousness. Instead, constantly thank God for His grace in Christ. Thanksgiving keeps you focusing on God and trusting in Him, rather than trusting in yourself.

  • Don't let anyone draw you away from your faith in Christ with human philosophies or strange doctrines

    • Remember that all of God lives in Christ, and in Christ you have all of God that you need. Everything is in Jesus, so don't look outside of Him for anything!

 

Verses 11-15

  • Jesus' death and crucifixion erased the every charge against you, brought you forgiveness for all your sin and the power to overcome sin. 

  • His resurrection brought you faith and power for a new life.

  • The power of the the forces of evil against you has also been broken (Colossians 1:13).

  • As you can see, everything has been accomplished in Jesus Christ!

 

Verses 16-19

  • Therefore, don't let anyone steer you away from Jesus by trying to make you add legalistic requirements to your faith.

    • Keeping the sabbath and Jewish holidays are not necessary anymore. Again, Christ is what's important. 

  • Also don't let anyone detour you with an emphasis on angelic or demonic topics. 

    • Beware of people that have an imbalanced doctrine with too much attention given to angelic matters.

  • We only truly grow spiritually when we're all focused on Christ alone! Again, focus on Christ!

 

Verses 20-23

  • Religious rules that people come up with, to try to be “spiritual”, are still worldly ideas, and they won't help you get closer to God (Mark 7:9-13).

  • Don't worry about regulations limiting what you can touch or eat. None of those rules will actually help you overcome sin.