Chapter 2 starts us out with a double check. Paul wants us to know how much he is struggling, and how he wants the believers to be encouraged and united in love. But this struggling, must be understood in context with the last sentence of chapter 1, “I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.”The understanding here is that Paul was telling us how he struggles before he told us he was struggling. He was 100% engaged with Jesus, allowing HIM to be his life. Paul was not struggling and frustrated in the human way we sometimes think about, he was simply allowing the power of Christ to work in, with, and through himself. This is the story of Colossians: Christ in you. Not just at the moment of salvation, but throughout our life HE alone is the power. We had no power to save ourselves and in the same manner, we have no power to do the work of God after we are saved, only to allow God to work through us. Paul also gives us a way to see life with clarity,“…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.”This is followed up by an important reminder. We should ONLY listen to what Christ has to say, and all should be evaluated upon that. Everything other than Christ is NOT wisdom.“I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.”Paul was encouraged in his ministry to the Colossians and encouraged them, just as we will when Christ is allowed to do HIS will in our lives.