I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
Colossians 2:4,5
What does it take to have solid faith?
A faith that doesn’t crumble at the first sign of trouble.
A faith that doesn’t run at the first sign of rejection.
A faith that doesn’t melt at the first sign of harassment.
While knowing the truth about Jesus is vitally important, it’s equally essential that we’re not alone. Yes, I know that God will strengthen and uphold us[1]. I know that with Jesus will never leave us[2]. I know that God the Holy Spirit lives in us forever[3]. Yet, with all this, in this life we need something more. Or, should I say we need someone more.
The great Apostle Paul, even though he’s in prison, doesn’t throw a pity party for himself. He’s not all self-absorbed in his trouble. He continues to connect with and interact with the people around him. He shares Christ and his life with the guards[4], the household of Caesar[5], and all the visitors that came to him[6].
To do this, Paul had to live a certain kind of life. Now, he’s passing that kind of life along to the Colossians. He shares the two-pronged kind of life that he lived. And, through God’s powerful and miraculous investment in preserving the Scriptures for us, we have the same opportunity to learn and do the same things. The same kind of life.
Disciplined – A disciplined life of faith just doesn’t happen. And you don’t achieved this kind of living all on your own. You have to put yourself next to other people. You must connect with them so that you support and encourage each other. You have to be so “tight” with these other people that you support and hold each other together. This isn’t just a bunch of guys that just happen to get together every so often and say, “Hey there, lets get together. It really doesn’t matter how we do it. The important thing is that we’re together. Yes, there may be holes, we may not be organized. But who cares? We’re all together.” A disciplined life has structure. It requires a commitment to get together on a scheduled basis. It takes time. It takes commitment. You have to be willing to put other, more exciting and entertaining things aside so that you can keep your commitment to one another.
Firm – A firm life of faith is one that’s not going anywhere. It’s solid and substantial. It’s got a foundation that holds it steady no matter what. When the winds and floods of life come, and there’s coming, a firm life stays put. It might sway a little. It might feel the weight of persecution. But it won’t crumble. It won’t be washed away[7]. Being firm in life is like the linemen on a football team. They might all be individual players, but they don’t act like it. They study plays together. They practice together. They lift weights together. They run wind sprints together. They know their place and do their best to work as a team. One might block so another can get to the quarterback and get the glory of a sack. You’ll never have lots and lots of people to be firm with. Like a puzzle piece, there are only so many sides that can be connected. Trying to squeeze in too many doesn’t really do anything but frustrate everyone.
Paul’s so happy that the Colossians are disciplined and firm in their faith in Jesus. He’s delighted. Even though he’s in prison, he’s rejoicing. Even though he can’t just get up and go anywhere he wants, he’s excited. He sees his life, with all the pains and sorrows of being in jail, as a life worth living. As a life with purpose.
Is that how you see life? With all your disappointments, do you see your life as worth living? Well worth the trouble? Or do you focus in on all the bad things that are going on around you? Are your griefs and miseries the things that you think about all day long? Do you just replay the scenes from your life where everything went against you?
I’m not saying that what’s going on in your life isn’t real. Or that it doesn’t really hurt. Or that the pains in your life are just some kind of illusion. Or that it’s some kind of spiritual payback. What I’m saying is that when we go through the deep waters of life, there is someone who’s gone through the same things. He knows and understands. He can comfort. He can strengthen. He’ll walk through it with us[8].
That someone is Jesus. He’s the one to put our faith in. And, with his Spirit, we need to be in the business of building that faith up into a solid faith. A faith that will stand up to the things in this life that are trying to break us. Tear us down. Jesus never fails.
Noodling Questions
Explain why you think your faith is solid. Or not. Give examples.
How do the words disciplined, and firm, relate to your faith? Why?
When life gets tough, what’s your natural reaction? Pull back or reach out?
[1] Isaiah 41:10
[2] Matthew 28:20
[3] John 14:16
[4] Acts 28:16
[5] Philippians 4:22
[6] Acts 28:23-31
[7] Matthew 7:24-27
[8] Hebrews 4:14-16