Hill Thread

Just a WARNING – Verses 10-12 make up one SUPER long sentence. Take a breath and concentrate instead of just skimming over it. I have a problem when reading, and I sometimes skim long/wordy sections. But these words from Paul are powerful. Do what you have to do to “sike” yourself up for it and let’s study some intense text.

Colossians 1:9-14

“9For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

In this part of scripture, Paul is telling the people at the church in Collose exactly how he is praying for them. It’s great insight into his heart for the people, but it’s also a great example of what we as Christians can be praying for fellow believers, as well as for ourselves.

Paul begins in verse 9 by telling them that he is praying for their knowledge of God’s will through wisdom and understanding. I think it’s safe to say this should be a mainstay in our daily prayer time. Then, in verses 10-12, Paul explains why he is praying for this knowledge. (These verses make up the long sentence that I warned you about before, so you might want to take this time to go re-read them) His reasoning is so that the people will live lives “worthy of the Lord” and so that they may please the Lord in “every way” Paul is encouraging them to bear fruit in what they do and to grow in the knowledge of God.

(Time to stop and think about our own lives . . . are we accomplishing these things? Living lives worthy of our Lord and pleasing Him? Are we bearing fruit in everything we do, and are we really growing in the knowledge of God?)

Verse 11 is one of my favorites. Have you ever thought about being strengthened with power from God’s glorious might? This isn’t your average “red bull” drink. When’s the last time you prayed for strength with the power from God’s glorious might? Today would be good.

Paul reminds them (and us) in verse 12 to be thankful for God’s saving grace. And he finishes through verse 14 reiterating that God saved us from darkness through His Son, and that in Him we have forgiveness from our sins.

This section from Colossians is a powerful message, and to truly understand all that Paul packs into these few verses, it would take more than a single day’s Bible study. Take some extra time over the next few days and dig into these verses, read them in the context of the entire chapter. Ask for God’s wisdom and understanding. He will supply all that you need.

Think about Jesus; He died for us. He gave up His life for us. Now think about the way we are all living . . . are our lives truly a reflection of our thankfulness to our Lord?

Philippians 4:4-9
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

So we get to the final chapter in Philippians, chapter 4. These concluding exhortations, very like what one finds elsewhere (e.g., 1 Cor 16:13; 2 Cor 13:11; 1 Thess 5:12-24), are tailored to the situation in Philippi. Among other things, they are to rejoice in the Lord, to let their “gentle forbearance” be evident to all (including those who oppose them) and to not be anxious about anything (given the present opposition and suffering), but let prayer and thanksgiving lead them to experience God’s peace.

What if we all took a 30-day challenge to live exactly like Paul is instructing us? The Bible tells us to read God’s Word, and do what it says. What if we started “Doing what It Says” by following Paul’s exhortations. How would our lives be different? What if we didn’t make excuses?