Colossians 1:9-14
9 Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding
10 to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God,
11 strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.
13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Here Paul gives us another glimpse of what faith in God can bring. Does spiritual wisdom and understanding sound good to anyone?
· That we are filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding
· That we live in a manner pleasing to the Lord (ie, obedience to his commands)
· That our works bear fruit (this is the spiritual fruit that comes from remaining in Christ)
· That we grow in the knowledge of God
· That we are strengthened with every power, in accordance with his glorious might
Paul is speaking about much more than just being a "good guy." He’s talking about the life that results from a full commitment to God, where continually we seek him through prayer, through searching his Word, and through the sacraments. There is so much out there for us if we continue to seek God, turn ourselves over to Him, and ask Him to build us into what He wants us to be.
Broken record alert: Remember that this doesn’t happen on its own. Paul prays for all of this to occur (ie, seeks it from God). God won’t force us into this life. He shows us little bits and pieces, and we decide if that’s what we want. We need to to seek it from God, and make ourselves available to him.
