THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL - PART 1

MONDAY 16 JANUARY 2023

It is totally impossible for us to live the Christian life without the knowledge of God's will. In fact, that's where the life of the Spirit starts finding true expression in us, thereby enabling us to keep fulfilling God's purpose.

Reference: Colossians 1:9 New Living Translation (NLT) "So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding."

In his day, Paul's greatest weapon in ministry was prayer, and while praying for the saints regarding any request connected to their spiritual growth, he employed all sorts of prayer. Moreover, his purpose in this Scripture was for the Colossian church to grow in the knowledge of God's will and to function in the expression of wisdom and understanding which the Spirit gives. In fact, if you read from the beginning of the Chapter, you'll grasp that Paul and Timothy gave thanks and always prayed for the church, with all manner of prayer and intercession, meaning - with every kind of prayer. "Always" equally suggests, praying for them in the closet, in a small gathering and even in a great assembly. In addition to this, Paul addressed the Colossian church as the saints and faithful brethren in Christ and gave them a thankful commendation, because they were very fruitful and faithful, full of faith in Christ, and full of love for the saints.

Here's one great thing I personally observed about Paul the apostle: He was too focused on his calling, and he had the profound assistance of the Spirit in prayer, because he believed so much in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Remember that he was the apostle that mentioned, "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you" (1st Corinthians 14:18 NIV). And I believe, in all his faithful prayers for the saints, he received answers according to his requests, and returned thanks to God for the blessings when bestowed on the saints.

Now in today's referenced Scripture, Paul and Timothy were involved in the intercessory prayer for the Colossian saints. However, what is the purpose of their prayer for the saints? Firstly, he mentioned, "So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding." Secondly, we must understand that the request they were praying for God to grant these saints was just a means to an end, which implies that it's not all there is to the spiritual progress of the saints, for God to simply grant them complete knowledge of His will, as well as spiritual wisdom and understanding. The end purpose or what these requests mainly intended to accomplish or bring about in the lives of the saints is this: That they might walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Got it? (see Colossians 1:9-10 NKJV).

So with this exposition, we can understand that clarifications such as intention, purpose, aim or goal, are important in our prayer lives. Therefore the good question is always this: What are you trying to accomplish if God answers your prayer request? Another instance is this: In Colossians 2:2-3, Paul said, "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (NIV). Although he wasn't present with the saints, he had a good goal in mind for them, and he acknowledged that he was there with them in spirit. Why so? It's because he was interceding for them (Colossians 2:5 NKJV).

When you've formed the habit of interceding for other people, especially the saints, you'll notice that, no matter the distance between you and them, or any other limiting circumstance surrounding your association with them, you're not really far from them in the spirit because the Spirit of God will keep revealing to you important things about them which pertain to their Christian lives and spiritual progress, so you can handle them wisely and maturely. In the successive parts of this topic, I'm going to consider expounding the complete knowledge of God's will, as well as the wisdom and understanding which the Spirit gives. Stay tuned for part 2. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - John 15:7; Philippians 4:6-7; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1; James 5:16.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me how to make effective intercession and supplication for the saints, with all perseverance in it, notwithstanding what the matter entails, or what their situations may suggest to the contrary. In every nation, tribe, condition and regardless of the gender, age and denomination, you've taught the saints to pray for all the children of light. Therefore, it's my pleasure to pray more in the Spirit, with my heart, soul, and spirit engaged in it, and with fervency, under the influence and assistance of the Holy Spirit. Thus, I'm forever grateful for the empowering grace to make a difference in the lives of your people through intercessory prayer, in Jesus' Name, Amen!