Colossians 1:9-14 "Prayer and Purpose"

Read Colossians 1:9-14.

"...asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." NIV

I absolutely love this passage and here's why. It is a complete instruction on prayer and walking the Christian life. Absolutely, complete -- the how, why, and what for. In fact, I'd suggest you read the passage slowly at least two more times and completely absorb what it's teaching us.

Did you read it? Waiting.......

Okay, now let's look at it step by step.

What do we pray for? I listen to prayer request after prayer request and they always seem to be about the same thing - meet my need. And I know God hears those prayers. But where I think we are missing the boat is that God already promised to meet our needs. He knows every hair on our head, and He will provide for our needs. Now He does say to ask, so I'm not saying these prayers are wrong. We are to ask, but there is something greater that we should be praying for -- "the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." If the Spirit gives me insight into that, there really isn't anything else I need. Every other part of my life will fall into place. I will have a divine perspective that far exceeds any simple need I have here in my mortal life.

What kind of life will this prayer bring? One that pleases God. Is there anything greater than pleasing the Almighty God of Universe?

What pleases God? A life "bearing fruit in every good work." Actually accomplishing something for the kingdom -- reaching out to those in need, comforting the hurting, taking care of the widows and orphans, helping the wayward, lonely teenager, etc. It's also a life growing in the knowledge of God and being strengthened with all power.

Strengthened for what? So you can have "great endurance and patience." We have a long race to be running. Our work here is hard and unending. We are on this earth to share God's love and we certainly aren't running out of people who need it or opportunities to give it. And while we are running, we are attacked on all sides. The enemy wants to take us out and will try by any means to do so. But with the strength and patience of our Father, we can continue running the race we have been given to run.

Why run the race? Because we have already been given the prize of sharing "in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." Heaven is waiting for us. We have a hope and a future that no one and no difficulty and no government and no tragedy and no recession can take away from us. Glory is waiting for us to cross the finish line and to cross it strong.

Why should we be thankful? Because our loving Father "rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." He paid the ultimate price so we don't have to. He loves us that much!

Why can I have such hope? Because through Jesus Christ, "we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Without His sacrifice and our surrender, we will be separated from God forever. But His one act of love saved us for eternity, if we will only receive.

Amazing..... and humbling.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do I need to change how I pray? Am I spending too much time on "needs" and not enough time on asking for God's will and wisdom? (Praying for our needs makes us "self-focused." Praying for God's wisdom will always make us "others-focused.")
2. Where in Scripture does God promise to give us His wisdom and understanding?
3. Where does He stress the limitations of that understanding?
4. When we can't understand, what do we rely on? Give Scripture.

James 3:13-18 "Wisdom From Heaven Defined"

Read James 3:13-18.

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." NIV

Wow, this whole passage is so full of truth and guidance for the Christian life. We are first told that to live a good life is "by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." Again, putting our faith into action, but including doing those deeds with a humble heart. I'll get back to that wisdom in a minute.

Then we are admonished against bitter envy and selfish ambition. These attitudes of the heart are "earthly, unspiritual, of the devil." No mincing words there. I think it's very clear how God feels about envy and selfish ambition. So that drives me to examine my life.....am I harboring these attitudes in myself? Do I do the things I do for God's glory or for my own? Do I want someone else's life? Do I wish for more money or power...anything that I don't have? I must look at my own life very carefully and be sure my conscience is clear on this point, and if not, I need to confess, repent, and renounce these sins from my life.

Now look at the list that makes up the wisdom that comes from heaven. What are the characteristics of wisdom that we are to use?

pure: exciting reverence, venerable, sacred, pure from carnality, chaste, modest, pure from every fault, immaculate, clean

peace-loving: ("peaceable" in KJV) relating to peace, peaceable, pacific, loving peace, bring peace with it, peaceful, salutary

considerate: ("'gentle" in KJV) seemingly, suitable, equitable, fair, mild, gentle

submissive: ("easy to be intreated" in KJV) easily obeying, compliant

full of mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them

full of good fruit: good work, act, deed

impartial: without dubiousness, ambiguity or uncertainty

sincere: ("without hypocrisy" in KJV) unfeigned, undisguised, sincere

This is an amazing list and all of it can be given to us by the Father when we ask for His wisdom. It's only in this wisdom that we can even accomplish good deeds for His glory. I so desire to live each of these each and every day.

Lord, give me Your wisdom, not for selfish ambition or out of envy, but so I may live a "good" life for Your honor and glory. Let me please You, O Lord.

Further Thoughts:

1. Carefully read through each of those characteristics of wisdom. Meditate on them and ask the Lord to fill you with each. Write His words on your heart.
2. Who in the Old Testament displayed wisdom like this? Go back and study their life and learn from their example.
3. Do you harbor any bitter envy or selfish ambition? Ask the Lord to reveal to you if you do. If needed, confess, repent, and renounce this sin in your life. It is not of God.

James 1:9-12 "Humility Through Trials"

Read James 1:9-12.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial." NIV

James 1:9-12 is a continuation of :2-8. James has given direction on trials and our response to them and on wisdom and how to receive it. He then goes back to trials in verse 9. Sandwiched in between is a paragraph on the man of low position versus the one of high position. Why is that?

As I've observed people who have gone through terribly trying times, the ones who do it well possess one very important quality -- humility. They quickly discovered that when you have been broken down into tiny little pieces and all control of your life taken away, haughtiness, pride, and position have no power. When lying flat on your back, you are profoundly made aware of Who is in charge. At least you're very clear about who is not in charge and that is you.

Devastation in life leaves us asking all kinds of questions -- why me? why now? how could this happen? what's the purpose in this? The unsurrendered may start kicking and screaming, spending all their energy and frustration in angry outbursts or lonely depression. But the committed believer fairly quickly recognizes that those posturings will get you nowhere. It is only when we accept our humble position before the throne that God will give the wisdom we need and the peace our heart yearns for to endure trials and come out on the other side a better person and servant of Him.

Trials will come -- that is a fact we can't escape. It's how we handle them that shows our true character. And as a body of believers, we should always lift up those who are going through trials to our Lord in prayer. They need all the support they can get to make wise decisions and stand firm in their faith. I am personally so grateful to my brothers and sisters who have remembered me to Him through difficult times. I have truly "felt" the power of their prayers as the Father has honored their requests for peace, strength, comfort, and wisdom. The bottom line -- not only do we have the Almighty Creator of the Universe on our side, but we have a bountiful supply of brothers and sisters to stand by us. We are not alone and we don't have to do life alone. This is a battle of armies, not single hand-to-hand combat. We must always rely on the body to help hold us up through trials and to remember to be the body to others when they need us.

Further Thoughts:

1. Study some of the Old Testament mentors who came through trials with humility and wisdom. See David, Ruth, Joseph, Job and Hosea to start with.
2. Read through the lyrics of this amazing song.
3. Are you going through difficult times? Humble yourself before the Lord and let Him fill you with His wisdom. Tell your brothers and sisters in Christ. They will help hold your arms up through the battle.

James 1:5-8 "The Pursuit of Wisdom"

Read James 1:5-8.

"If any of you lacks wisdom...." NIV

Who on earth doesn't lack wisdom? We all can read and go to school to learn facts and ideas. But knowledge is not wisdom. I found this poem in Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary:

Knowledge and wisdom, far from being one, Have ofttimes no connection. Knowledge dwells In heads replete with thoughts of other men; Wisdom, in minds attentive to their own. Knowledge, a rude, unprofitable mass, The mere materials with which wisdom builds, Till smoothed, and squared, and fitted to its place, Does but encumber whom it seems to enrich. Knowledge is proud that he has learned so much; Wisdom is humble that he knows no more. --Cowper.

The Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines wisdom as "the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight."

King Solomon defines wisdom as understanding the fear of the Lord and finding His knowledge. That you will have understanding and discretion and a discerning heart. (See Proverbs 1:1-11 and I Kings 3:9) After Job's trials, he defines wisdom as "fear of the Lord" and understanding as "to shun evil." (Job 28:28).

I've met many people who have multiple academic degrees listed behind their name, but have no wisdom. They rely on facts inputted and their own interpretations - avenues of their own thinking -- to guide them. And often they come up with some of the most ridiculous conclusions. They have put their faith and value in knowledge and their "wisdom" is couched in a selfish determination of truth.

God says that if we need wisdom, we don't rely on knowledge that we've attained, but ask Him for the answers. If we ask without doubting, our Father provides all we need.

So am I saying education is useless? Absolutely not. I come from a family of academics and highly value education. But while gaining knowledge, we must increasingly humble ourselves before the Lord or else our pride will direct us to rely on our own knowledge and not on the wisdom of God. But if we lay everything at His feet -- including our degrees and diplomas, facts stored and experiences lived -- then the enemy cannot turn our knowledge against us, and God can use it for His honor and glory.

Further Thoughts:

1. Study Proverbs and I Kings 3 for more insight on wisdom.
2. How does James 1:1-4 and 1:5-8 relate to the life of Job?
3. Do your own word study by comparing and contrasting "wisdom" and "knowledge." Which one do you rely on most? Why?

Proverbs 18:4 and James 1-4 "Wellspring of Wisdom"

The Lord (through a conversation with my mentor) is taking me on a field trip today so I'm not in the book of Matthew. Will return there tomorrow. For today, if you want to join me, look at Proverbs 18:4.

"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook." NIV

The King James Version says: "The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook."

The Hebrew word for "wellspring" is maqowr which means "spring, fountain spring of source of life, joy, purification (fig.)" (Strong's Concordance)

The Matthew Henry Commentary says this about this verse:
"The similitudes here seem to be elegantly transposed. 1. The well-spring of wisdom is as deep waters. An intelligent knowing man has in him a good treasure of useful things, which furnishes him with something to say upon all occasions that is pertinent and profitable. This is as deep waters, which make no noise, but never run dry. 2. The words of such a man’s mouth are as a flowing brook. What he sees cause to speak flows naturally from him and with a great deal of ease, and freedom, and natural fluency; it is clean and fresh, it is cleansing and refreshing; from his deep waters there flows what there is occasion for, to water those about him, as the brooks do the low grounds."

This passage's notes point to James 3:17 which says "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." NIV

As I read more around the James passage, I am drawn to read the whole book - especially 1:2-8, 1:19-27, 3:1-18 and 4:6-10.

As I see it, we must first, through spending time with our Lord, increase our wisdom, not knowledge, wisdom. Then from this never ending, calm, deep water flows the healing waters of our words to benefit those around us and glorify God. Bad words escape quickly, even good words can come from a shallow pool, but the healing truth will flow from the things we have allowed God to cultivate deep within us.

Further Thoughts:

1. Is a well-spring of wisdom coming out of your mouth/heart? If not, what is hindering it?
2. How do we increase our wellspring of wisdom? Certainly studying God's Word and applying it to our life is the starting point. A wonderful book I'm reading right now is "Divine Mentor" by Wayne Cordeiro. He speaks a lot to increasing our wisdom.
3. Ask the Lord to show you anything that may be hindering the wellspring of wisdom from flowing freely from you. Is it anger, bitterness, lust, selfish ambition, envy? Ask Him; He will show you.

Ephesians 5:15-17 "Wisdom vs Foolishness"

"Be very careful, then, how you live -- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." NIV

To completely understand this verse you have to sort of read it backwards. Start with the "Therefore." We are told to "not be foolish," which is the opposite of wise, and "understand God's will." How do we understand God's will? Well, first we can't be living foolishly which means avoiding all the stuff we've been discussing in 4:25-5:7. Then we must be in communion with Him through His Word and the Holy Spirit's counsel. His Spirit will guide and direct us each day if we will only "listen" for His leading.

Therefore, if I am living wisely -- not in the ways of this world, but in imitation of God and Christ's love, and focused on God's leading in my life, I will be able to make "the most of every opportunity" to shine as a light in a dark world. It's a very simple plan, even if it is not always easy to execute, and it begins with the surrender of living life our own way to living by God's plan.

The enemy works very hard to appeal to our arrogance and desire for instantaneous pleasure. Both feel really good. But when you completely submit to our Lord's desire, the satisfaction is so far greater, not to mention the eternal rewards. There is no greater high than knowing our Lord has guided you to do something or say something that you know is completely from Him. When you know you've walked in His light and not your own understanding of a situation; when you bring someone to tears of joy for saying something to them they needed to hear because God told you to; when you are serving Him and someone comes to know Him in a greater way because you were there at that moment ready and available, you will not be able to describe the joy that brings. There is no other event on this earth that brings more satisfaction than doing our Lord's will. Unfortunately, for some believers living in places of persecution, it is not always a joyful obedience. But from their testimonies, we've learned that they would have never chosen another way. The right choice is to avoid the days of evil, and choose to live in wisdom, following the will of God.

Lord, whether in peaceful times or persecution, help me to make the right choice to always live wisely for You.

Further Thoughts:

1. Making these choices relates back to what our purpose is. Reread Ephesians 1.
2. Read through some of Proverbs. It is full of instruction on living wisely. Especially take note Solomon's message to his sons in Chapter 4.
3. Read through the old hymn, "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/g/u/guideme.htm and ask Him to guide your every step.
4. A pastor at our church last Sunday suggested setting your phone or electronic calendar to alert you 4-5 times a day. When the alarm sounds, stop what you are doing and take some time to acknowledge the Lord and ask His direction. It's a great way to reset your focus in a busy day.