Colossians 1:9 “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding”
What is the value of knowing God’s will? It seems to me that for everything entrusted to mankind, corruption usually follows. Let me explain….when the Lord entrusted the throne of Israel to Saul, he failed miserably at following God’s commands. God had revealed His will and Saul chose to fulfill his own. When Jonah was instructed to preach to the Ninevites, not only did he try to run away, but when the people repented of their sins Jonah threw a fit and pouted about it.
Time and time again, for every person God entrusts, people find a way to let Him down. Why would God reveal His will to such imperfect people?
When God spoke through Jeremiah the prophet regarding the people’s degradation into idolatry, He declared a revelation that was to come.
Jeremiah 16:21 “Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the LORD.”
There is so much confusion in this world. There are so many who seek for something of worth and can’t seem to grasp it, and yet there stands the Lord, mighty and full of power, ready to reveal His glory to anyone who seeks Him.
The apostle Paul’s exhortation to the church at Colossae was a profound look at the value of being filled with the knowledge of God’s will. The way understanding God’s will changes a person and what that means in the greater scheme of things.
Dwelling in the book of Colossians gives us a better perspective…
Colossians 1:9-10 “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”
It is important first to understand the context. Paul is speaking to born again believers who have been living out their faith in such a way that word is spreading through the region. If a person is not a follower of Christ, then God’s will is first for them to trust Him and believe. Salvation results in good works and true faith reveals itself in action. The moral law makes it clear what God’s will is for the unbeliever…judgement. So we must be careful not to place the cart before the horse. There have been people in history who wanted to partake in the things of God without committing their lives to God, like Simon the sorcerer, they were rebuked for their unbelief.
First, a Spirit of wisdom and understanding is a distinction that is directly connected to the Spirit of God. Believers are encouraged to walk in a way that glorifies God in their conduct, which in turn pleases the Lord. No matter what kind of spiritual fruit they are bearing, it’s all born out of a knowledge of God’s will. When a believer is obedient to God’s will, God is pleased with them and they in turn bear much fruit. As they walk in obedience, they in turn grow in the knowledge of God, which brings great joy.
Walking in a manner that is worthy describes a radical commitment of will, affection, and a disposition driven to pleasing Christ. The more a person knows and understands God’s will, the more clear His pathway becomes.
Colossians 1:11 “being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy”
Second, the faithful believer is given the strength to complete the work God has called them to accomplish. The power and might of the Lord is glorious and when people see it in action it is something to behold. The work can be long and tedious but the Lord grants endurance to His people, along with patience which are directly linked to the joy of the Lord. Joy gives strength. It is a deep, lasting, delight that only God’s people know. There is nothing in this world that can compare.
Colossians 1:12 “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
Thirdly, we witness attributes of the Godhead when God’s people interact with God’s leading. Insight into the work of the Father is demonstrated by His gift of the Son. God’s people can walk in the power of the Spirit, fulfilling the will of God because Jesus redeemed them from darkness to light. The Father sent the Son and the Son in turn sent the Spirit. Now, believers worldwide get to partake in God’s holy purpose through their connection to Christ. It is the Spirit of God in the heart of a believer that links them directly to the godhead, it is an honor that many still try to understand. God’s work is a work that bears great reward for all who faithfully follow.
Colossians 1:13 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son”
Fourthly, it is imperative that believers not forget from where they have come. Spiritual pride can be just as deadly as any sin of the moral law. There is no quicker way to ruin good ministry than to start thinking higher of oneself than they ought. God has delivered His people from the darkness of sin and death and changed their status to citizens of Heaven. To be people of the light is to bear the name of Jesus. With such honor also comes great turmoil for as the world hated Christ, so many will hate those who represent His name.
Colossians 1:14 “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Fifthly, just as God in Christ has redeemed a people to Himself, so do God’s people go out and proclaim the same gospel to the world. Redemption requires a cost, to free people from the slavery of sin cost Jesus His life. What incredible love God has for a people who didn’t deserve a thing, and what great offense it will be for those who have spurned such love.
The Value of Knowledge
Knowing God’s will propels a devoted believer into the confidence of knowing that where God leads He provides.
- God provides protection
- God provides provision
- God provides purpose
Luke 10:2 “And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”
The commission is clear, the plan is simple, go out and be light in the midst of the darkness. Proclaim the good news, make disciples, and ultimately be Jesus to a world that doesn’t know Him.
Micah 6:8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
What do you seek? Have you found real purpose in your life or is it fleeting and leaving you looking for more?
The will of God has called you into His purposes, but it requires you to surrender everything apart from Him, including your life. It may seem like a great sacrifice but trust me….what you gain is far, far, greater.
U.T. 