Think of how the Christian church went into a gradual decline for the 300 years between Constantine and Phocas. Don’t we see there cause both to lament the sin and folly of men, and adore the righteous severity of God? As Christians grew gradually to be loose, wanton, and sensual, and their leaders became contentious, luxurious, covetous, proud, ambitious, and domineering, so the Christian church gradually became forsaken of the divine presence.

Every pastor, following Paul, aspires to be able to present believers “perfect in Christ Jesus,” or complete and mature, and “comforted” or encouraged in their hearts, through their labours in preaching and teaching (Colossians 1:28–29; 2:1–2). But in a situation where Christians are divided into different denominations and splinter groups, doesn’t this seem hopelessly idealistic? Or at best something that can only be possible on an individual level and not for Christian congregations or the church as a whole? The London preacher John Howe (1630–1705) had to confront the fact that the animosities and divisions among believers in the 1680s were likely to bring the Christian witness to ruin. In a sermon tackling this, Howe notes that in the epistle to the Colossians, Paul speaks of the role of both love and faith in bringing about this maturing and encouragement. After explaining the comfort that comes from Christian love (Nine Ways to Comfort Believers’ Hearts), in the following updated extract Howe now turns to the crucial importance of our shared faith in healing division and bringing comfort and confirmation within the Christian church. Pastors have a responsibility to lead their people in ways that promote the oneness of the Christian body as a whole, as well as within their own local congregations and denominations. When it comes to the faith we confess, Howe encourages us to start by focusing on what we have in common, rather than finding reasons to persist in division.

Why Is Paul Working Towards Comfort?

Paul’s aim in Colossians 2:2 is that believers’ hearts “might be comforted,” or encouraged.

In the preceding verses we see that the avowed design of Paul’s preaching, warning and teaching in all wisdom was that he would “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Col. 1:28). Whereas various arts and endeavours were used to adulterate the Christian religion, and pervert men from the simplicity of it, Paul wanted to lose none, but to his very uttermost make it possible for them all to be presented “perfect in Christ Jesus” at last. This means that they would be all entire, complete, and persevering Christians to the end.

It was for this that he “laboured,” “striving,” according to “his working, which wrought in him mightily” (1:29). All his labour, and the strivings of his soul, were acted by divine power, and by a Spirit greater than his own, and they aimed at this goal.

He tells them too how fervent these strivings of his were. “I wish if only you knew what an agony I endure! how great this my conflict is for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh!” And for what? “That their hearts might be comforted” (Col. 2:2), meaning manifestly the same as he has just said, that they would be complete and confirmed Christians to the last.

How Does Paul Expect to Achieve Comfort?

The means which the apostle conceives would be most effectually conducive to this blessed purpose are two, mutual love to one another, and a clear, certain, efficacious faith of the gospel. Let us for now consider this faith.

Why Is a Shared Faith So Important?

Although the word “faith” is not used in this verse, yet it is described in such a way that it may easily be understood — both what it is, and how necessary it is for this purpose.

Faith is described here as “the riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.”

By this faith, (1) our understandings are duly enlightened, so that our minds will rightly grasp the doctrine of the gospel. We see distinctly the meaning and purpose of this mysterious revelation of God in Christ, and we are fully assured of the truth of it.

By this faith, again (2), our hearts are overcome in such a way that we receive the gospel practically and vitally. We acknowledge and receive it, and resign, entrust, and subject ourselves to God in Christ revealed in it.

How Does a Shared Faith Contribute to Comfort?

How vastly important this is towards our hearts being established, confirmed, fortified and united! and towards our being jointly preserved in our Christian state! We can see its importance in the following ways.

We see the value of the gospel we share

If we had this faith, we would grasp that the things in which we are to unite are truly great. Union is not like to be firm and lasting, if at its centre is a trifle. The faith in which we unite must be something that is of itself apt to attract and hold our hearts strongly to it.

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