Colossians 1:9-12 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; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Epaphras had come to Paul when he was under house arrest and told them that there was trouble in his home church at Colossae. There were false teachers from varying sources all around them that wanted their attention and to draw them away from the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In response, Paul wrote a letter about the preeminence of Jesus Christ, first in doctrine, then in the face of danger, and then in their Christian duty. Paul wanted to encourage them by reminding them of their spiritual heritage: They had heard the gospel, they had placed their faith in Jesus Christ, they had been discipled by Epaphras, and they had become faithful in Christ.

He Prayed for Spiritual Intelligence (v9): The false teachers promised enlightenment to those who “had not arrived.”  Consequently, Paul, knowing his audience had arrived used similar words, knowledge, wisdom, spiritual understanding. Paul knew that the Gospel had come to them, and they had received it (v1:6). The false teachers were saying you need a new experience. Paul was praying that they would learn from the experience that they had already had, knowing that the Colossians were complete in Jesus Christ (v2:10).

Now, he was asking God to help them understand this truth. The use of the word “filled” is important in Colossians. Paul used it many times. Being filled means to be full, or to be complete. The idea that Paul was trying to emphasize here is one of being fully equipped. In the New Testament the word is often used to convey “control.” One who is filled with the Spirit is one who is controlled by the Holy Spirit. Every Christian needs to know (Acts 22:14) and understand (Ephesians 5:17) the will of God.

We understand the will of God through the Word of God and the Holy Spirit teaches us as we submit to Him. The general will of God for believers is given in the Scriptures. The specific will of God for believers in every situation is given by the Holy Spirit and it always agrees with the general will of God given in the Word of God. The better we know God’s general will, the easier it will be for us to determine God’s specific will for us as we live out our lives. Paul knew that the Colossians do not need visions or voices or new experiences for assurance, but rather, he prayed that they would go deeper into God’s Word. We need the WU – Wisdom and Understanding.

 He Prayed for Practical Obedience (v10): False teachers offer “special knowledge,” and this is usually appealing to the flesh. However, their special knowledge did not yield a life worth imitating. Paul knows that in the Christian life there is no separation between learning and living. Consequently, Paul now turns to applied wisdom. He prayed that the knowledge and understanding of God’s will would lead to appropriate daily living. All Biblical truths are practical; we need to seek to walk in a manner that is pleasing to God:

Colossians 1:10 ESV  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;

Note the line of W’s. We cannot Work for God, unless we Walk with God. We cannot Walk with God if we don’t know God’s Will. We know God’s Will by gaining Wisdom through His Word. Consider another “W”, Worthy! Paul urges the Colossians to walk in a manner that is worthy of God, fully pleasing to Him (v10).

• • Ephesians4:1: We should walk worthy of our calling
  • Philippians1:27: We should walk worthy of the Gospel
  • Thessalonians2:12: We should walk worthy of God

Sometimes we think that we work for God. A better perspective is what we learned from Philippians:

Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

As we obey God in our walk with Him, our efforts will bear fruit. As we mature in our faith this will start to occur constantly. A significant bonus to our walking in obedience with Him is an increase in our knowledge of Him. Where the false teachers wanted the Colossians to “see things their way,” or share in this “new experience,” that they had invented to please themselves, Paul was saying look at Jesus when He was ministering on the earth, He served others, then He retired to pray.

He Prayed for Moral Excellence (v11): Paul knew that it would be a mistake to connect knowledge and service without linking them to personal character. Remember, they had heard the gospel, they had placed their faith in Jesus Christ, they had been discipled, and they had become faithful in Christ, and now, Paul was praying that their personal lives would be touched by God’s power and that they would mature. Personal character comes when we yield to God’s inherent power and manifested power. Christian character can only come when we let God work in us, but sometimes, we want God to exercise His power in our timing. Paul understands that God will exercise His power in His timing for our benefit. Consequently, Paul says, “wait it out.” Be patient! Endure! And be joyful and thankful while you are waiting, knowing that our faithful God will do what He says He will do. The Christian life is an appreciative life. Paul knew this and was praying that the Colossians would exhibit these characteristics as they continued to walk with God.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.

“Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.

But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!