The Place to Be #68

 

Colossians 2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 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.

Having shared his perspective that he was overjoyed with the news of how God was work in their church, and also that he understood he was perfectly in God's will regardless of being in jail, Paul still wants them to know that he does care about them and wants to be with them. He describes it as a great struggle. He wants to be able to be there with them to help strengthen their unity, understanding, and confidence in the faith.  As always, he wants to talk with them more about Christ, so they are able to stand strong in  Him when (not if) the false teachers come their way.