HIDDEN TREASURES

HIDDEN TREASURES
"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3)

THE REALM OF THE SPIRIT is filled with all manner of treasures. They are not mere historical artifacts, or things to be put on display in museums. These are "riches" that are essential to living by faith. They are not luxuries, or unneeded opulence. Ponder the impact of the expression, "ALL riches of the full assurance of understanding." Riches are one thing: "ALL" riches are something else! It is one thing to talk abound assurance, it is quite another thing to speak of "FULL" assurance. Other versions read, "all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding" (NASB), and "the full riches of complete understanding" (NIV). However you say it, we are speaking of unspeakable vastness.

THE "UNDERSTANDING" OF REFERENCE is very focused. It is not a general understanding of the affairs of life. Nor, indeed, is it an understanding of domestic and social relationships. It does not pertain to the various strata of knowledge relating to the sciences. Rather, this "understanding" has to do with the "understanding of God's secret plan, which is Christ himself" (NLT). That is, it is being able to comprehend what God is doing in Christ Jesus. By this, the Spirit means that a clear understanding of the present role of Jesus brings a flood of confidence, or assurance, to the heart. Thus, the individual is enabled to "fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life" (1 Tim 6:12). The comprehending soul can run the race that has been set before him with patience, or perseverance (Heb 12:10). He can resist the devil, steadfast in the faith, and consistently press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God (1 Pet 5:8-9; Phil 3:14).

IN THE UNDERSTANDING ITSELF an abundance of spiritual resources can be obtained, for in salvation, you can only obtain what you can comprehend. However, where comprehension is realized, you can have all that you perceive. Elsewhere, it is stated like this: that you "may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:18-19). Where advancement in the faith is not being realized, it is because of a deficiency in the "full assurance of understanding."

OUR TEXT AFFIRMS these riches are "hidden." By that, the Spirit means they are not accessible to the flesh. They are higher than flesh can reach, and deeper than it can probe. Only the new birth can give you a capacity to obtain these "hidden" riches. An imparted aptitude is required. Speaking of those who failed to understand His words, Jesus thanked the Father He had deliberately "hid these things from the wise and prudent" (Matt 11:25). You cannot take hold of things "pertaining to life and godliness" through mere disciplined procedures or study. They are not located in a domain that can be accessed by natural abilities or resources. These things are called "hidden wisdom" (1 Cor 2:7).

IN ELABORATING ON hidden "treasures of wisdom and knowledge," our text affirms they are not altogether hidden, but are concealed in Christ Jesus. If, therefore, we want to "be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Col 1:9), we must be in conscious affiliation with the Son of God. That means we must have some awareness of our connection with Him. It is, of course, the Father Himself who put us into Christ. As it is written, "But by His [God's] doing you are in Christ Jesus" (1 Cor 1:30, NASB). It is for this reason, and this reason alone, that the children of God have access to "the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

THERE IS A DIVINE OBJECTIVE behind us being brought into relation to Jesus. That affiliation is precisely described. "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9). We have, therefore, been moved into the domain in which the treasures are kept. They are "hidden," or concealed, to all who are outside of that domain, which is the Lord Jesus Himself. They are available to all who have been placed where the treasures are stored. How marvelous, therefore, to read, The Father "hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Col 1:13). He has put the saints where the required treasures are hidden. By virtue of being "in Christ," we occupy the area in which "all spiritual blessings" are found, and can be freely obtained. Now, in Jesus, "all things are yours" (1 Cor 3:21). Our only limitation is our faith.

I WANT TO UNDERSCORE the necessity of the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge." The rigors of the faith-life cannot be fulfilled with a sparse understanding of the things God has provided in and through Jesus Christ. Countless numbers of professed believers are attempting to please God in the energy of the flesh, unaware of "the treasures" that belong to them. See to it you are not in that number!

– Given O. Blakely