“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” Colossians 2:2-4

This week one of my heroes in the faith announced some pretty startling news. He made public claims that the idea of Hell exists only in the temporal; that it’s not an eternal destination. He questions in a new book he’s written how a “loving” God could send people to eternity in Hell. He makes vague statements that Jesus may not be the “only way” to salvation.

I was so disappointed to hear this once progressive, truth-telling leader’s new shift on Biblical principles. I’ve applauded his cutting-edge ways of asking the tough “faith” questions and spurring me on to find truth for myself. Now the headlines on major news media define this man as a “Controversial Pastor,” a pastor that speaks “Outright Blasphemy.”

It’s divine that our study in Colossians this week has brought us to the very point in scripture where Paul warns the early churches about false teachings that could deceive them from the truth. Sometimes lies can be wrapped in beautiful, bright, packages. Sometimes lies can be delivered by great communicators using fancy words that sound so good they must be true. All we have to do is go back to the first lie ever told—to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Fancy words and thought provoking questions from our great enemy disguised as a serpent, and what’s the result? Sin enters the world.

I’m greatly saddened when I look around and see the truth being watered down today. When I see Christian leaders buy into the lies of this world, and proclaim them as truth. What’s happening? Is the truth so hard to hear?

To me, it’s simple. The truth wrapped up in a beautiful gift to us:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

I am praying for this fallen hero of mine. I want him to know “that in Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” I want him to look upward, not inward for the Truth. I want for him and for others what Paul wanted for the early churches, “to be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Last year Chris Tomlin and some other artists wrote a song called, “All To Us.” Take some time to meditate on the words of the chorus.

“Let the glory of Your name be the passion of the church. Let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that burns. Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives. We believe You’re all to us.”

**words and music by Christ Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Matt Redman and Matt Maher, 2010**

“I just don’t know what to do,” I complained to my friend, telling how one person known for starting me on the crazy cycle was acting up again.  “It’s making me go cuckoo.”  Silence.  Agh!  The madness of having a smart phone that is always smart and only sometimes a working phone.  I put the device down, frustrated and consumed by my overwhelming problems.

The next morning, I picked up a copy of the Voice of the Martyrs, where I learned of a young woman’s plight.  Asia Bibi shared the love of Christ with fellow Pakistani workers.  The message cost her everything.  Imprisoned for blasphemy, she no longer enjoys the comforts of home, the sweet embrace of her husband, or the uplifting laughter of their children.  Instead, she sits in a jail cell, hoping her death sentence will be overturned. 

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.”  Colossians 1:24-26

When I read these verses, I thought about writing on God’s purpose in suffering or His promise to work all things together for good.  Then I remembered how enmeshed I became in problems this past week and weighed them against the true heartaches and desperation of those around the world who are imprisoned, tortured and killed for their faith. 

I can’t keep the tears from streaming down my cheeks as I think about the courage it took for a woman to share her faith in her small village.  I want to reach out to the other side of the world and say, “I will pray—pray for your family, pray for your freedom, pray for the message.”  If you want to join me in praying for and encouraging Asia or other imprisoned believers, go to http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_197_profile.html