Paul’s Conflict For The Colossians
Paul describes a spiritual battle he is fighting on behalf of the church at Colosse and all believers who he has not yet met. He uses three synonyms to describe that battle. Laboring, striving, working.
Laboring is doing hard, fatiguing work, this word in the Greek language is often used to describe the intense work of the athlete in training.
Striving is to contend, to fight an adversary, contending like a boxer or wrestler in an arena.
The word “working” is the Greek word, ἐνέργεια energeia. Yes, that’s where we get our word for energy. The word in the NT is only used when talking about supernatural power, power beyond human ability.
That energy, that power, is working in Paul mightily. Working mightily, is the same word for energy used before, but the ending of the word shows God’s energy directed through and motivating Paul, “God’s working powerfully energizing me.”
Now we cross the bridge of vs 29 to our text in chapter 2. Here we are told what the goal of Paul’s laboring and striving is, He says in Colossians 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
He was laboring and striving in a “great conflict” for the church members in Laodicea and Colosse and other believers that he has not met. His conflict was spiritual, a battle fought here on earth but with results in the spiritual realm. His primary weapon of war in this spiritual battle is prayer.
Paul’s Prayer Power. In Paul’s writings over and over again we see that prayer is his weapon of choice. In a sense, every time Satan challenged Paul to a contest, he chooses prayer to fight to victory.
In the prison epistle of Ephesians, in chapter 6 after Paul describes the spiritual armor the Christian must put on in order to stand against the wiles of the devil. He lists each piece like a soldier dressing for battle, put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness; the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace; the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Then the last thing he says to do in preparing for battle in Ephesians 6 vs 18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Paul knew that you don’t enter into the strivings of the soul without prayer.
Paul tells us that it is in prayer that the Holy Spirit is called to our aid and His intercessory work is begun. Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
It is in prayer that our anxiety, fear and doubt is overcome. Paul again writing from his prison cell tells the Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
So important to the Christian life and conflict is prayer that Paul tells the Thessalonians, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
He says prayer is paramount to the wellbeing of the church and tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” First of all, first in order of importance. Pray first!
Believers’ Battle
When you examine the way Paul’s spiritual battle for the church at Colosse, you are left with a clear example of how we should be fighting our own spiritual battles. To Paul and be to us, prayer is paramount.
Paul was passing on what he had learned from the Lord. In fact, it was Paul’s best friend and closest traveling companion, Luke who wrote page upon page about Jesus and prayer. In Luke’s Gospel chapter 11 the whole chapter is dedicated to how to prayer and then examples of people praying. In the 18th chapter, Luke records this, Luke 18:1-8 And he (Jesus) spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
That parable is given directly to us. Do you know how you can determine that? Because of the last statement, “When the Son of man comes shall he find faith on the earth?” That is Jesus asking us directly, “When I return will there be people faithfully praying?” That is sobering. The Lord asking us personally when I come back will you and those who follow you still be faithful? And prayer is the mark of that faithfulness.
It is through prayer, by prayer and in prayer that the spiritual battles in our life are to be fought and won. And if we are not praying then we are not laboring, not striving and we will not know the energy of the Lord working in us mightily.
Brother James Dearmore was a missionary to Brazil and to Rhodesia in his lifetime. He preached the Gospel, helped start churches, build schools, clinics and while in Rhodesia had to survive the attacks of Marxist rebel terrorists. He was once ambushed while driving and survived with hundreds of bullet holes in his Land Rover and an unexploded rocket grenade that landed in his back seat.
He was preaching for us in chapel at the independent Baptist College, talking about prayer and he brough up people who say, “Well, I guess the only thing we can do is pray about it.” His response to that I wrote down in my Bible that day. He told us, “Saying that we’re reduced only to prayer is like telling a soldier that he is reduced only to an atomic bomb.” – James Dearmore.
That’s how powerful a weapon prayer is. Paul knew it, James Dearmore knew it and if we are going to win the fight against spiritual powers in high places in our life, in our church, our community and in our nation then we better now it as well. Unleash the power of prayer, because Prayer is Paramount and must be our first weapon of choice.
A battle was going on for the hearts and minds of the church at Colosse and Paul was in prison, he could not go to them, but what he could do was pray. That was Paul’s supernatural weapon of mass intervention.
