Colossians 2:1-4 (ESV)

[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.

Paul’s desire for the Colossians is that their hearts would be “encouraged, being knit together in love” (Col 2:2). It is the following statement that gets interesting. “To reach all the riches of full assurance…” (Col 2:2) seems to be the result of being encouraged and knit together. In other words, community is a vital part of entering into the riches of Christ.

We tend to talk and think about our relationship with God as a personal thing. It is between God and me. While there is some truth in that, the reality is that God intends believers to live out their faith in community. We will never experiences all the riches of that which we have in Christ unless we are living in community. Christianity is not a solo event, it is a team sport.

Sitting in church for an hour or two on Sunday morning does not qualify as community. That is just a starting point. Community requires praying together, being honest with one another, learning to put up with one another, forgiveness, service, and love. It is in this kind of community that we begin know and experience the full riches which we possess in Christ.