"For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those in Laodicea, even all who have not seen my face in the flesh," (Colossians 2:1)
"I have fought the good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)
Paul could have said here “I have struggled the good struggle”. This is the same word he uttered in Col.2:1 "For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you”
It is also the identical word in Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore let us also, …run with endurance the race (or struggle) which is set before us,"
Paul was a spiritual athlete. This word “struggle” means the place of contest, the arena or stadium where the Greeks would gather and watch athletes contest for a prize.
Paul writes this word from his unnatural arena, prison, where he is restricted in chains between guards, but he considers this a “vantage point” in spiritual engagement.
His arena audience is all the saints who have never seen his face in the flesh. What an unusual image! How does he contend for the prize? He prays without ceasing, rejoices in his “arena” , receives this rich word regarding Christ, and delivers this word to us. Yes to us! Because this is a contending word meant for “even all who have not seen my face in the flesh.” It is Gods eternal purpose and word for all the ages.
This contending word is Christ, to know Him as the mystery of God revealed. Not only for salvation, but now living in you.
The prize/treasure, therefore, is Christ Himself who contains all the riches of knowledge and wisdom. (Col. 2:2-3). This word is a real word. It contends that Christ is really in you. Christ is really in all believers. Oh, don’t only receive this Christ, but walk and live in Him. (Col.2:6).
Let us join in this contending word that our “hearts may be comforted, as we are being knit together in love” with all the saints who also have Christ in them. Let’s contend to know all the “riches of the full assurance of understanding, unto the full knowledge”. That means we all are athletes with Paul receiving this word and we are struggling, wrestling, fighting and running to obtain the treasure, the prize, Christ as our life in everything.
