In Christ Alone


“For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”.  Col. 1:9

Do you remember the feeling you had when you first received Christ as Savior? Perhaps it was a combination of exhilaration, joy, and maybe even a little confusion as you wondered, "What am I supposed to do now?"


For some, it may have meant walking away from a former life and friends. For others, it was not so drastic. However, both likely embraced preconceived ideas and beliefs, often with misguided understandings of the Christian faith, which threatened to place Jesus in an awkwardly low position.

Paul understood the environment in which the new believers in Colossae were surrounded. As new believers, they too were vulnerable to the mixture of pagan rituals, angel worship, legalism, and mysticism; all of which could undermine the proper placement of Christ as “head over all rule and authority” (Col. 2:10). So he wrote a letter to the Colossians to encourage them to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord in order to produce God-fruit—the kind of fruit that promotes a promising, productive and ever increasing faith.

Faith is of no use if it is only a mere notion of a “higher power”, a spiritual concept, or a “feel good idea”.

Faith is not just something we have. Faith is something we live! 

So, for this reason, Paul tells them they’ve not ceased to pray for them. So how does he pray?

Not that things “go well” with them.

Nor that they never have hard times.

Paul wanted them to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, gaining understanding and wisdom as it pertains not only to spiritual life, but daily life as well, in practical ways. Wisdom knows how to accurately apply what we know to specific incidents, creating a practicable, effective atmosphere that is pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:7 Much more useful than “feel good” ideas.

Is there evidence that your faith has grown since the day you first received Christ as Your Savior and Lord? Are you bearing good fruit -- God-fruit? Is your walk pleasing to God?  Col. 1:10

I encourage you to meditate on the first chapter of Colossians. I love the book of Colossians. It is perhaps the most Christ-centered book in the Bible, focusing on the Supremacy of Christ and our submission to Christ.

I’m praying for you, that the Spirit of God would stir your spirit to hunger to know God more, that you may increase in the knowledge and wisdom of God.

Shari 



No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this post. I appreciate every comment. Blessings!