All the Treasures of Wisdom and Experience

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Colossians 2:1-8

It takes discipline to see beyond your own works to the finished work of Jesus Christ…..don’t think the mental transition into trusting Christ will be easy.  

Verses 1,2  For I would that you knew what great agonizing care I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement (epignosis – intimate experiencing) of the mystery of Christ.

Paul lived that others would know and walk in an experience of the mystery of Christ.  That’s what he lived for.  That’s what he ministered.  He even cared for those he had never met, but who had believed because of the presentation of his gospel.

He desired with all his being that they would get it….this fantastic thing called the “mystery of Christ”.  That they would understand it.  That the rivers of their understanding would come together in a powerful confluence of spiritual knowing…….that they would intimately experience it.

Verse 3   In which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (gnosis – experience)

I Corinthians 2:7 says that God prepared this mystery of Christ before the world unto our glory.  The full and complete and unhindered expression of the absolute best of what you and I can or will ever be, can only happen as we come into intimate understanding and experience of the mystery of Christ.

That is what happens here on Thursday nights!
Now you know why you love it here at fellowship.  You’re coming into your glory.  The glory which God designed for you, that fully expresses His glory.

What is wisdom?  It is seeing clearly.   Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God.  (I Corinthians 1:24).  As you come into intimate relationship with Christ, in the context of his body (other believers), you begin to see which way to go, how to prioritize your life, what and who to avoid, etc.  Life starts making sense and you start getting good, consistent results.

What is knowledge?  Gnosis is the knowing that comes with experiencing a thing.  I know house painting….intimately.  I’ve been doing it 35 years.  Other people watch me work and are amazed….”You make it look so easy.”  “I could never do that.”  “You’re so fast.”   These things come with experience.  I know my wife….intimately.  I’ve been married for 28 years.   Yet there’s always more to learn….to experience.

My daughter, Caitlin, experienced London this past summer. And France the year before that.  But she didn’t experience all the London or all the France that there is to experience.

The treasures (riches, that which is most powerfully desired) of wisdom and experiential knowing are found in the mystery of Christ.  This is our inheritance, and we’re only at the very beginning…..the very very start of the beginning.  

Verse 4  And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

Colossians is a correctional epistle.  It is meant to bring people back to the simplicity and power of the revelation of Ephesians.  If any teaching, or preaching, or any wisdom of words is not bringing you into relationship with Jesus Christ and his body…..then don’t heed it.  Remember, the true purpose of the Word of God is to bring life, light, joy and fellowship!  (from lesson one of The Bible’s Design).  This is how we determine whether we are understanding the Word of God correctly    If it’s bringing heaviness of heart….guilt……shame……doubt…..it’s not true understanding of God’s Word!!!

Verses 5-7  For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.  As you have therefore received (lambano – taken unto you, in reality) Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him; Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught (by him, via the spirit), abounding therein with thanksgiving.

God went to a lot of trouble to get us to the point of being able to be taught directly by Him, via the spirit.  Of freeing us from having to learn and experience from only the flesh.  Do not allow anyone to bring you backwards, to paying attention to the things of the flesh…..as though they are truth, or wisdom, or rich in experience.  Rather, as Christ is revealed within you, by the active relationship of your spiritual experience, walk in it.  Yup, that simple.
You received revelation that Christ is your life?  Great….just walk in that understanding.  You don’t need to do anything….just walk in it.

When and as something needs doing, you’ll see it clearly and obviously and do it easily, because with the knowing of Christ comes the wisdom of Christ.

You came to understand that you are actually a member of that other person?  A part of them?  Great.  Just walk in that understanding….you don’t need to do anything .
God told you that He loves and cherishes you….and can do nothing but love you?  Terrific.  Just walk in that knowing, in that understanding.  That’s enough.

This is trust in Christ, and Christ alone.  This is walking in the spirit, and not the flesh.  Walking in the flesh says, ‘You’ve got to do something.”  Walking in the spirit is content with understanding the things of the spirit, and walking in that understanding.  Walking in the flesh is concerned with getting it right.  Walking in the spirit is concerned with the freedom that comes with knowing the truth.

Verse 8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy (the wisdom of man) and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

But you’ve got to go to church.
We don’t want to offend anyone.
Watch out, you don’t want to be too free.
Don’t get too “high and mighty.”
You’re just a sinner, just like everyone else.
What makes you so special?
Can’t you see how stupid that is?
Prove to me that what you’re telling me is right.
But people are starving in Haiti.

Keep your eyes open.  Men will bring words, thoughts, powerful influences to you ……based on the wisdom of this world, on the “deceit of vanity.”  When it’s all about you….there is no truth. When it’s all about pleasing men, or a man, or mankind in general, there is no richness of experience and wisdom.  This is the deceit of vanity.  Don’t worry about offending someone….worry about not walking in the truth of Christ, when you see it.  Be concerned with being tricked out of simply enjoying everything that God is bringing your way, and is able to bring your way, because you are trusting in Christ and Christ alone.

Being or feeling guilty is not pleasing to God.
Feeling bad for your shortcomings is not pleasing to God.

Understanding and walking in the powerful resource of Christ within is all that pleases God.
The revelation of Jesus Christ is enough!!  As Christ is revealed to you…..it is all you need!!  Now, just walk in it!
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See studies:
The Mystery of Christ
Aspects of the Mystery of Christ
How God Knows
How Christ is Building His Church
The Form of our Doctrine