Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28

Col. 1:24: 2:5

Recurrent Thought

God wants us to grow into Mature sons and daughters. Therefore, we must be intentional about it!

Knowing who Jesus is in his essence (nature, divinity) demands that we live according to his dictates and demands. We can’t claim to know him, if we won’t follow him. Knowing him is to submit and follow him as Lord. It has been said that if Christ is not lord of my life, he is not lord at all. The subject of maturing in Christ follows the prize topic supremacy of Christ and his all-sufficient ability (1:15-21), Paul is led to discuss the demand and the process of maturing in Christ (1:24-29). The previous passage showed that Jesus is at the center of the cosmos, while in this one, Jesus is at the center of our character development; he is at the center of our maturation, the process of growing as his Children.

We discuss Four Components to the maturing process of a Christ Devoted follower

1.  Ministers are Catalysts in the Process of Maturing Believers in Christ 
   • Paul in Ch. 1:24-25 recounts the unique role the Lord granted him to participate in the development of the Colossian believers.
   • Although not always possible, God raises believers who have gone further along to support others in their new steps in Christ.
   • Ministry to others is intricately connected with the maturity of the Church
   • In wanting to recount his role, Paul proceeds to give some personal credentials of his ministry. He declares that the Preaching of the Word may include suffering for the sake of others (1;24). Witnesses May Suffer for the sake of Body of Christ
   • This form of Suffering is for the Church development and not for Salvation of others., This is essentially working hard that many others may mature in Christ.
   • He toiled with the inner energy for the sake of the church (1:29)
   • Paul struggled in the spirit for the sake of the Church (2:1)
   • Every believer, must understand that they are given the stewardship of the gospel (1:25)
2. Christ is the Subject Matter (content) in Maturing Believers 
   • The subject matter essential for growing believers is set in what Paul calls the Mystery of Christ.
   • Indeed, Paul declared that his purpose in life was to unveil the Mystery, the impact of Christ in the ages. He was the mystery hidden in ages past (1:26)
   • The Mystery are Truths previously hidden, especially the Old Testament now revealed in the New Testament. There are several of these: Mystery of incarnation Colossians 2;  Mystery of the Church Eph. 3; Mystery of the unbelief of Israel in Rom. 11; the mystery of the Rapture in I Thess. 4 and many others.
   • The particular subject matter for the growing in Christ is understanding this Mystery: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (1:27)
   • Christ is the content of our Character transformation. Because he is God he demands that we submit to him. Remember, we were created for His Pleasure (1:16) 
   • We must proclaim that he is the only mediator between God and man. We must Preach that Jesus is the Only Savior of every man
   • Discipleship, growing in Christ is established in knowing and understanding that when we believe and receive Christ, then by his power He comes and dwells in us, 
   • The ramifications of knowing that Christ is in us, are massive and many. Search for them
   • When they fully know and understand Christ in them, they will know the Riches of the Glory of the Mystery (1:25). 
   • To grow in Christ, we must understand the Riches or inheritance he has set for the Church (Col. 1: 12-14)
   • It clearly shows that there is an inheritance of the saints, a body of truth, graces, and virtues essential to make believers Mature in Christ 
   • It is also essential to understand that as believers we experience, and manifests a life of Hope for Christ lives in us. He is the Hope of Glory (1:27)
   • Increasingly partake of the Hidden Treasures of Wisdom and Understanding found in Christ (2:3)
   • Jesus is at the Center of our transformation as his followers.
3. The Word of God is the Agency through which Believers Matures in Christ (1:28)
   • The Truths of Jesus Christ, which are the content of Maturation are carried through the Word of God
   • For the Discipleship to be taken seriously, Christ and his demands must be Proclaimed without compromise: Warning and teaching everyone
   • The Word of God becomes helpful When the Word is applied with all Wisdom (1:28);
   • The mistake, we do not reflect and meditate long enough on the Treasures of Wisdom and Understanding founding in Christ (2:3)
4. Godly Character is the Evidence of Maturing in Christ (2:2,5)
   • Maturing believers are known by the Changes that happen in their lives.
   • The text shows some evidences of maturing in Christ
   • First, maturing believers are People with Hearts that are always encouraged. They have a daily experience with Christ in them, the hope of glory
   • Second, maturing believers demonstrate unity in love. Remember this is not uniformity, but unit in Love
   • Third, maturing believers reach all Riches of full Assurance of Understanding and Knowledge of God. This is a goal of the preacher and the achievement of a believer.
   • Fourth, maturing believers are not easily deceived or deluded (2:4)
   • Fifth, maturing believers are usually orderly (discipline) and Firm in their faith in Christ (2:5)

Conclusion 

Knowing Christ necessitates that we grow in understanding what he has for us. Everyone must be intentional and plan pursuing hidden Treasures of Wisdom and Understanding found in Christ (2:3)