I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
Sounds good to me. There are many reasons to say this. It may really sound good because someone explained it well. However, it could be an intentional deception by a smooth talker. Paul had written these words just before verse 4. “…Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” This is what he wanted the Colossians to cling to. He was in prison and could not visit but was pleased that everything was in “order”. Looming on the horizon though were false teachers who would say with convincing words that Jesus Christ was other than what they were taught and that there was another way to be saved. Their firmness of faith would be needed as they were bombarded by destructive teaching.
Kids today are bombarded like no generation before them, from the public school to the internet chat room, there seems to be no escape for these young people. They hear plausible arguments that “love is love” while the truth is that some love is dangerous and wrong. They hear that what feels good to them must be right and now we have a generation whose own feelings trump all else. Let us pray for young people today amidst confusing messages and school shootings. Pray that the fluidity of this broken world is replaced with the firmness of faith in Christ.
Dear Lord, thank you that there is a better world to come. Help us to guide our young people in this harsh world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church