THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD'S WILL

FRIDAY 30 JULY 2021

Paul wrote to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse, giving thanks to God on their behalf, praying always for them because he heard of their strong and steady faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love they shared with fellow saints, bearing fruit and growing in God's grace.

Reference: Colossians 1:9 King James Version (KJV) "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."

In the verse above, there are two things Paul did for the brethren at Colosse: 1. He prayed for them without ceasing. 2. He desired that they might be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Watch this: Paul had a desire for them to be filled with the Knowledge of God's will, but his own ability would not do it for them. Did you get it? Paul could pray for them but could only desire that they got full of divine knowledge and counsel. In other words, nobody can do that for you. The ability to go for the knowledge of God's will must surpass the desire in you. First, there must be a willingness, then second, the eargerness and ability to feed on this knowledge must accompany the insatiable hunger.

I've seen so many people who have had the desire to study and meditate on the Word but didn't do it eventually. Why? Ability! There is such a thing as supernatural ability. Even God Himself uses it to do anything He wants to do for us. Ephesians 3:19 (NKJV) reads, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.." Mark the word "able".

The Latin word for "Able" is habilem or habilis, which means, "having sufficient power to handle." It also suggests being capable and agile or to quickly handle. It's more than appetite or mere desire. It gives us the picture of being strong, mighty and powerful to engage in any pursuit or fulfil any task, which also denotes the Spirit of counsel and might at work. You can desire all the counsel of God's will, but without the might or ability to fill yourself with it and carry it out, there is little you will accomplish, or rather it won't produce much for you.

In fact, it doesn't matter how much desire you have, if the willing mind is present, but the readiness or "ability to do" is absent, it will remain a desire and amount to nothing. Being filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding is beyond having the accurate knowledge. It is knowing His will and living under the power and influence of this will in all wisdom and understanding. In other words, nothing is missing in your knowledge of the will. Its all about understanding His will to the point that it produces fruit or results in your life. So it equally means that lack of understanding of how we can function in this will can become a great challenge in our Christian walk.

The knowledge of God's will must become the centre of your existence to the point that this is what the world sees when they encounter you. When they trace your existence, they trace it to this root - God's will. No wonder the Bible says, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..." (Colossians 3:16 NKJV). This is the same as "being filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." Although there's a pair - the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, it is a balanced pair because they walk side by side. Our responsibility is to function in the balance as the Spirit grants. Dearly beloved, the level of regular or daily intake of the Word must outweigh or surpass just the desire in our lives. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 40:29; Ephesians 3:19; Colossians 1:11; Ephesians 5:17.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your supernatural ability that empowers me to go beyond my desire for the knowledge of your will, and become filled with it in reality. You increase my strength and ability by your Spirit, to understand your will, so that I may live a life worthy of your calling and please you in every way: bearing fruit in every good work and accomplishing your purpose. Thank you for your wisdom and understanding in the knowledge and revelation of your will in Jesus' Name, Amen!