After hearing of the of the Colossian’s faith in Christ and love for other believers, Paul wrote them a letter and let them know that he and Timothy had been continuing in prayer that they would be ‘filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding’ (Colossians 1:9). And later in that same letter, Paul commends them for good order and steadfastness of faith in Christ (Colossians 2:5). But then he warns them not to be deceived by the philosophies, lies and legalism that are based on worldly principles (Colossians 2:8).
Do you have faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you living an orderly and stable Christian life? If so, praise God; you are on the mountain top and you share in those things for which Paul commended the Colossian’s. But guess what, right now Satan, the world and your flesh are trying to corrupt you and every other Christian using cunning thoughts, crafty deceptions and conceited traditions. They want to drag you down into the valley of despair and render you useless as a witness for God.
So why were Paul and Timothy continually praying for the Colossians to be crammed full of wisdom and spiritual knowledge concerning God’s will? Well, we don’t have to guess; Paul told them (and us):
- Colossians 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
In this verse we see
Four Good Reasons for Understanding God’s Will
That you may:
Walk Worthy of the Lord
Our Holy God has called us to live holy lives. Living worthy of this call includes fulfilling God’s plans for our lives no matter how difficult, unpleasant or inconvenient that may be. Christ came to bear our sins and die on a cross. We honor His life, death and resurrection when we work together with other Christians to advance the gospel message.
- 1 Peter 1:15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
- Matthew 10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
- Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Fully Please Him
Living to fulfill the desires of our human nature will never please God. By dying to ourselves, we put to death our evil deeds and selfish desires so that they become pleasing sacrifices to God. But whatever we think or say or do, without genuine faith in His existence and the truth of His Word, we cannot please Him.
- Romans 8:8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
- Hebrews 13:16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Be Fruitful in Every Good Work
When God grants us understanding and we receive the truth of His Word, with Christ in our hearts we bear varying amounts of fruit in accordance with the grace of God and the gifts He has given. But without Jesus Christ, we can do nothing of value for the kingdom of God. Being fruitful is not only about what we do, it is about our character, attitudes, intentions, influences, impact, praise and so much more. God-like love produces Godly fruit.
- Matthew 13:23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
- John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
- Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Increase in the Knowledge of God
Reverence for God brings wisdom. When we learn about God we understand more about truth. As we mature as Christians, the increase of divine influence on our hearts and learning more about Jesus through Bible study, experience and the example of more mature Christians brings glory to God.
- Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
- 2 Peter 3:18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
- Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
A clear understanding God’s Will
enables us to bring glory to Him!
Pray expectantly that God will ‘fill you with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding’. Pray this for your brothers and sisters in Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ should bring Him glory!!!
Prayer
Gracious loving Father, I ask that You fill Your church, the body of Jesus Christ, with a clear understanding of Your will. Fill us with knowledge of Your will as we read Your Holy Word, appreciate Your awesome creation, observe You mighty works, learn from Your faithful children and pray in Your Son's precious name. May all that we say and do and think and desire bring You glory. I pray these things in the power of the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
