Colossians 2:1-7

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face,

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, [1]

I remember years ago going to the Coliseum to see my first (and last) live wrestling match. Nature Boy Ric Flair, Wahoo McDaniel and others were in the ring. I remember being in awe of Rick Flair's tenacity. He was bleeding from his forehead and clearly tired, yet he kept wrestling. He was committed to the struggle. But struggling for what? A belt…title…money? Those things are temporal. They are not lasting.

Paul was also in a struggle. Unlike wrestlers in a ring, his struggle wasn't for himself. It didn't have a monetary prize, power, or prestige connected to it. He struggled on behalf of the Christians in Colossae, Laodicea, and others whom he had never seen.

His goal was to see their hearts knitted together in love, “so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ.” Colossians 2:2. [2] Namely Christ.

Paul’s struggle was that Christ would be central in their lives. He said it this way to the Galatians, “Do you know how I feel right now, and will feel until Christ’s life becomes visible in your lives? Like a mother in the pain of childbirth.” [3] Galatians 4:19

Sometimes I feel that my life is modeled more after Ric Flair’s life than Paul’s. At times I catch myself struggling for that which will pass away.

The Bible is clear on what we are to wrestle for. Let’s wrestle for Christ being central in our lives and the lives of others.


[1] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[2] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[3] Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language. Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.