Pleasing God
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom[d] and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:9-14
From the text, Paul offered a prayer for the church at Colossae. The prayer was about the believers being resolved in their commitment to God so that they will not be influenced by false teachings. The false teachers promoted the idea that one can please God by having deep knowledge, strict living, and ecstatic experience. Paul prayed that Christians will always be reminded that it was by knowing the truth of the gospel that they could please God. From the text, Paul provided an example for us of the need to pray for those who are weak spiritually as well as for those doing well for each one is vulnerable from enemy attacks. Many of our prayers ask for immediate relief from circumstantial or personal difficulties. While some of these prayers are good, God wants us to include prayers for spiritual growth and long-term development. Our prayer is that God will fill believers with the knowledge of His will. Paul wants the Colossians to know God’s will and then let that knowledge control them. God wants us to know His will which He clearly reveals in his Word. A mere knowledge of God’s Word is not what will please Him. We need to be controlled by that knowledge. The word “fill” means to control. To be filled with something such as an emotion like fear or jealousy would mean to be under its controlling influence. When we allow this to happen, it could cause us to do things we might not do otherwise. Being controlled by God’s will should cause us to endure rather than giving up. It could also provide us patience in dealing with others rather than getting angry with them. The knowledge and control of God’s will comes through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. This is more than simple intelligence. Wisdom refers to the comprehension of truth, while understanding refers to the application of truth. Being controlled by God’s will means believers comprehend the principles of Scripture and then put them into practice. When our goal is to please God, we have to bear fruit, grow in knowledge, strengthened for adversity, and constantly giving thanks for the salvation that God gave us.
Blessings