I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 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, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.WHAT DOES IT SAY?- Paul’s goal: that the church would be encouraged in heart and united in love--that’s the vehicle for how we know Christ.- All wisdom is in Christ- Deception is real!WHAT’S THE BACKSTORY?- Paul is writing to a church he helped to start. Usually, these Pauline letters are a response to a conflict or question in the church.- Use your cross-references to build your own bible study. For example, in this chapter, our cross reference points us to 1 Peter, where we see there are things within the church that are deceptive: 1 Peter 5 and Ephesians 6WHAT DOES IT MEAN?- To stand firm and discern wisely, I need to be finding my wisdom in Christ by remaining in him. - John 15:4: Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?Stop/Start/Continue - - What do I need to stop? Start? What do I need to continue in order to be walking in the way of Jesus?WANT MORE? Check out Nicole’s book Help! My Bible Is Alive: 30 Days of Learning to Love and Understand God’s Word - https://www.amazon.com/Help-My-Bible-Alive-Understand/dp/1641580216FOLLOW NICOLE:Website: https://nicoleunice.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nicoleuniceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleunice/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.unice/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.