Abide, Abide, Abide

January 8, 2026 — Krystal Craven
A bible on a table being opened by a hand. Overlaying the image are the words "Abide, Abide, Abide".

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, 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. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:1-5)

Paul had just finished explaining how he toils and struggles through the power of God to proclaim Christ and make disciples. Then, he shifts his tone in chapter 2 with a deeply personal note—he tells the Colossians of his struggle for them, using a word that implies deep, intense concern. He longed for their hearts to be encouraged, for them to be unified in love, and for their faith to be anchored in the full assurance of Christ. He wanted them to grow in maturity so they wouldn’t be deceived by persuasive arguments that sound good but lead away from truth.

That should make us pause and ask ourselves:

Do I have this kind of concern for others? Do I long for their encouragement, unity, and growth in Christ the way Paul did? Or am I too quick to critique immaturity instead of stepping into the loving work of building others up through grace and truth?

If we want to love people like this—to see them as God sees them—we have to examine my own hearts first. Pride and self-focus are subtle but powerful barriers. They keep us from humbly loving, from listening, from lifting others above ourselves. But the good news is, this kind of love isn’t something we have to muster on our own. Just like Paul said in Colossians1:29, this struggle is done with God’s energy, which He powerfully works within us.

So, let’s return again to the instruction: Abide in Christ. Remain in Him. Let Him do the work in you and through you.

A bible on a table being opened by a hand. Overlaying the image are the words "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, 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. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:1-5)".