“...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, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” - Colossians 2:2-3
In this verse, the Apostle Paul is describing the purpose of the work that God has called him to do. I think it’s a pretty good description of the purpose of every Christian church and of every faithful Pastor, too.
First, that the hearts of the Christians will be encouraged. We aren’t here to scold and condemn people for their failures, but to encourage their hearts - to fill their hearts with courage - so that they are able to to boldly step out in faith, by God’s grace, into the new life that Jesus offers them.
Second, that their hearts be knit together in love. What a wonderful statement that is! In the home, the family is knit together in love as we forgive and learn to be kind to one another. The same thing happens in the congregation, as we learn to walk together in Christian love; our hearts are knit together in ways that the world can never understand. Third, the goal of all of this is that the people in our church reach full knowledge and understanding of the mysteries of God; that is, that they come to know and truly understand Christ. This is the focus here in our church, and we pray that this purpose of God will be fulfilled in every congregation and in every Christian ministry. Lord Jesus, You created Your Church and by Your plan You have established us in local congregations in every place. You gave us our congregation and have knit our hearts together in love here in this place. Lord, keep our focus true in everything we do. Let us who gather here come to know You in all Your fullness, so that the wisdom of God is displayed in our lives. Amen! Pastor Dan Giles