What steps can we take to deepen our understanding of Christ's mystery? The Goal Paul Sets Before Us “that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ” (Colossians 2:2). Step 1 – Knit Our Hearts Together in Love • Love for Christ and one another is the soil where revelation grows. • Ephesians 3:17-19 shows that love establishes us so we “may be filled with all the fullness of God.” • Practical move: pursue reconciled relationships, forgive quickly, serve sacrificially—because a divided heart will miss Christ’s riches. Step 2 – Collect the Full Riches of His Word • Acts 17:11 – the Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily.” • 2 Timothy 2:15 – “present yourself to God as one approved… rightly handling the word.” • Daily reading plan, slow meditation, verse memorization—all keep us mining the treasure chest. Step 3 – Invite the Spirit’s Illumination • John 14:26 – the Spirit “will teach you all things.” • 1 Corinthians 2:10 – “The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.” • Pray Psalm 119:18 before study: “Open my eyes to see wondrous things out of Your law.” Step 4 – Walk in Obedience, Not Just Insight • James 1:22 – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Revelation 3:20 – open the door when Christ knocks; fellowship follows action. • Each fresh insight should shape today’s choices—otherwise our understanding stalls. Step 5 – Learn in Gospel Community • Hebrews 10:24-25 – stir one another to love and good works, meet together. • Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ richly dwell among you… teaching and admonishing one another.” • Small-group study, mentoring, and corporate worship weave our hearts together, echoing Colossians 2:2. Step 6 – Guard the Treasure from Deception • Colossians 2:4 warns against “fine-sounding arguments.” • 1 John 4:1 – “Test the spirits.” • Compare every new teaching with Scripture; cling to the plain sense of the text. Step 7 – Celebrate the Mystery through Worship • Philippians 3:10 – “that I may know Him.” • Worship—singing, thanksgiving, communion—keeps Christ, not mere information, at the center. • Gratitude turns knowledge into joy and deepens intimacy. Putting It All Together • Cultivate Christ-like love. • Feed daily on Scripture. • Depend on the Holy Spirit. • Translate knowledge into obedient living. • Grow with other believers. • Test every idea by the Word. • Worship with a grateful heart. These practices, grounded in Colossians 2:2, draw us steadily into “the full riches of complete understanding… the mystery of God, namely Christ.” |
    |