In his letter to the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae Paul speaks of protection from delusion. “I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.” (2:4). Today there are many people putting forth arguments that are plausible but misleading and false. To be persuaded by those arguments is to be deluded. What does Paul say in order that the believers in Colossae would not be deluded?
He wants their hearts to be encouraged. He wants them to be knit together in love. Notice that it is love that knits them together. It is not politics, allegiance to a sport’s team, or a follower of a particular person other than Christ. It is being knit together in love that protects from plausible but delusional arguments. This is why it is so important to keep pointing to Christ.
Paul wants them to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ. He desires for them to have this protection that comes from understanding and knowing Christ. Notice that it is not just knowing about Christ. This is an understanding and knowledge that brings all the riches of full assurance.
He explains why Christ is the key. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. They are in Christ. We need to look to Christ and in doing so we will be protected from the delusional, yet plausible, arguments swirling all about us.