READ: Colossians
1:1-14
Paul begins his letter with a greeting, and in it gives himself a title.
He calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. The first thing
this demonstrates to the reader is his authority. He is confident in his
position and willingly takes on the responsibility of the position. At the same
time he is acknowledging this as God’s idea, not his. This humility is
necessary for any leader, but especially for Paul who is writing to a church
he’s never personally met. He writes to correct and teach them, so if he
doesn’t come with both authority and humility, they may reject him, and then in
turn reject Jesus Christ.
Paul tells the church how and what he prays for them. This is meant as a
threefold encouragement. First, just knowing they are being prayed for will
give them motivation to keep fighting the good fight. Secondly, as they know
what Paul is praying for them they will be able to look at their lives and see
God at work in their lives as a direct answer to his prayer. Thirdly, they can
pray along with Paul for the very things he has, in essence, told them are
necessary for spiritual growth.
Paul tells the Christians at Colossae exactly what he prays for them to
encourage them, but it’s also to instruct and affirm. As an apostle (and
disciple maker) it is his responsibility to ensure those under his direction
have accurate teaching and are encouraged to keep growing in the faith.
One of the specific things Paul prays is for their filling of spiritual
wisdom and knowledge. However, Paul doesn’t expect them to sit and study to
gain copious amounts of knowledge. No. The knowledge is to come not only from
study but from a filling of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of the knowledge
is so their behavior would change.
Behavior should change as a result of this increased knowledge. There
must be fruit. It’s pointless to be filled with knowledge if that knowledge is
never used. There is a common saying, or proverb, which reflects this teaching:
Don’t be so heavenly minded you are no
earthly good. Those who are truly heavenly minded – with their thoughts
focused on Christ and filled by the Holy Spirit – will actually be those of the
most
earthly good, just like Paul is instructing here. However, there are those who
would be tempted to spend all their time gaining knowledge, and seeming to be
spiritual, yet not living out the practical applications of what they’ve
learned. Paul prays against this, and lets the church at Colossae know this
knowledge is to be the motivation for godly living.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1.
Are you as confident in your calling as Paul was?
Ask the Lord to speak to you about the gifts He has given you, and how you are using
them. Are you being deliberate and intentional with them? Are you exhibiting
humility and a servant heart? Ask the Lord how to become more effective in your
calling and in the use of your gifts. Write down what He says.
2.
Are you regularly praying for your disciples/cell
members/converts? Do you let them know? If you have not led anyone to the Lord,
are there new believers you could be praying for and encouraging in their walk
with the Lord? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the name(s) of those He would like
you to carry in prayer over the next few weeks. Write down their name(s). Start
today by praying the scripture from our reading passage today over them as a
blessing.
3.
Ask the Holy Spirit if you have fruit in your
spiritual life, or if you are full of knowledge that doesn’t lead to action. If
necessary, confess any sin. Ask the Lord to motivate you through the reading of
His Word and the voice of His Spirit to live the godly life He has called you
to. Thank Him for any fruit He has produced in you. Ask Him if there is any
action He wants you to take today.
