Joined together in love

 Colossians 2:1-3

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. 2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. 3 All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him. HCSB

In verse 2 and 3 Paul shares with us his passion that even those that are as yet unknown to him, will get to know the riches, treasures, understanding and the knowledge that is hidden in Christ.  Secondly, he also has a desire that the people will be encouraged and joined together in love.  If I read and understand that sentence correctly, I think that Paul is saying that we will struggle to have the fullness of the knowledge of God's mystery in Christ that is hidden in Him - unless we are encouraged and joined together in love to other believers.  Paul is making the point that those in the body of Christ are meant to be encouraged by each other and JOINED together in love so that we can discover the full treasure God has in store for us.  

I know that I have the privilege to have people in my life to whom I am joined together in love that encourage my heart greatly.  People that keep me on the straight and narrow.  People that walk with me in accountability but also in the excitement of discovering God's truth in His Word and so ultimately and above all we get to KNOW HIM together.  Deeper together.  

Point to ponder:  Are you and I willing to risk that our hearts be joined together in love to othrs in the body of Christ?  Are we willing to push through the difficult times in relationships, to forgive when we get hurt, to let go, to have space for another who loves Christ but thinks about life differently?  Are we willing to allow others to speak into our lives when we are straying from God's truth?  Are we willing to lay down pride and acknowledge that we have strayed and come back to His truth and walk joined together in love with each other?  It takes guts, it takes forgiveness, it takes maturity, above all it takes the love of Christ in us for each other.  Where is your heart encouraged and joined in love?  Treasure it and be intentional in walking with others in love.  

For King and Country:  We are one in the Lord