Semper Paratus the motto of the US Coast Guard means to always be ready, this concept is also one that Paul impresses on the Colossian church regarding to stay true to the faith. The first thing that Paul lets the Colossian church know is that they cannot just be stagnant, they can’t just sit around and wait for issues to come up and only react then. This is just like the Coast Guard, they do not sit around and wait for a call to action regarding a rescue at sea, but they are constantly working and keeping their skills honed so they can be the most effective when the need arises. In Colossians 2:4-7 we read, “I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments. For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, overflowing with gratitude.”
Why Should We Be Prepared
The first thing that Paul mentions is our need for being prepared. “I am saying this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.” This is why as Christians we need to be prepared, we need to be constantly in the word and prayer, Satan will use extremely appealing words and arguments to draw us away from our faith and make us less effective as Christians. So you see it is not a question of if, but when we will face arguments and logic used in a way to lure us away, that is why as Christians we need to be prepared.
How Should We Be Prepared
Once Paul instructs on the need for being prepared regarding our faith he illustrates how it looks to be prepared. The first example Paul uses is that of the military. When Paul in verse 5 talks about order and strength, he is using military terms in relation to the actions of soldiers on the battle field in that they know where to be positioned and to be ready to face the enemy, as Christians we need to be prepared with similar discipline and obedience.
The next three illustrations regard the role of faith in our lives. The first is that of a journey in which we are to walk by faith. Despite what the Gnostic teachers claimed the Christianity starts with Christ and by faith and must continue with Christ and by faith. Then there is the tree, where we as believers not only need to walk in faith but be rooted in faith. Just like a tree that has good and healthy roots will thrive so will our Christian life as long as we are rooted in our faith in Christ. Finally there is the building, when we have a solid foundation through our faith in Christ we can then grow spiritually.
The final two illustrations Paul uses are that of the school and a river. With the school we need to remain faithful to what we have been taught. As Christians we need to hold fast to the truth of the Word of God, it is through the Bible that we learn of and come to faith in Christ. Unfortunately just as the Gnostics did in Paul’s day there are those that deny the truth of God’s Word. Then with the river as we grow in our faith we find ourselves with a great desire to praise God, even to the point where it bubbles out of us much like a river overflowing its banks.
As Christians we are constantly in the midst of a spiritual battle, and we have been given the tools and the training needed to get through. The only problem is that many of us neglect to use what we have been given and wait for the bullets to start flying pas our head before we react. Rather Paul explains we need to be prepared, we are better off if we are ready for the attack rather than to be surprised by it blindsiding us.
