Colossians 1:9-14 says...

Today's verses are Colossians 1:9-14, which read, 

v.9, 10 - For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;...

Paul shared the gospel message of Christ with a man named Epaphras in Ephesus and Epaphras returned to his hometown of Colossae and shared that gospel message with others just like Paul did with him.  The result was a church there and word has gotten back to Paul about this group.  He has put this work of God on his personal prayer list.  This is a church full of new Christians and in Paul's prayer is also instruction on what is to happen to them and us after answering the call of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• The first thing is for us and new Christians to be immersed in God's word, "wisdom and understanding" so that we can know God's will from knowing God's word.
• The second thing that comes from knowing God's word is to walk or to live everyday life in light of what we are learning in His word.  This will be a life "worthy of the Lord" and also pleasing Him with respect.
• The third thing that comes from knowing God's word is the fruit of good works done in His name.  Out of a life walked in the Lord because of our knowledge of Him will be tangible evidences of it by what we do and say, the fruit of our lives.
• The fourth thing that comes from knowing God's word is an ever increasing thirst for more of it.  This is the book that you will read for the rest of your life and it will continue to give you more insight and wisdom as you spend time with it and in it.

The new Christian needs prayer to be in God's word so that he can have knowledge of God's will; live a holy life in regards to it; perform good works because of it; and continue to be fed by it. 

v.11, 12 - ...strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

Paul continues his prayer and calls for a strengthening of these new believers to stand upon God's might when "steadfastness and patience" is needed.  When is "steadfastness and patience" needed but when there is persecution, temptation, and suffering.

Our response as Christians is to be thankful in the midst of any persecution, temptation, and suffering we are facing because of our relationship with Jesus.  We are thankful because it shows the authentic nature of our relationship with Him as we stand steadfast and patient with and as the "saints in Light."  How do you know physically that the conversion is real until you are put to the test to stand for it in less than ideal times, when it will cost you something? 

v.13, 14 - For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Paul identifies with the new believers and includes himself and them in this statement.  What he is speaking of is true of them and also true of himself. 

• "For He rescued us" - The term means "to draw to oneself" or "to deliver."  Jesus drew us to Himself away from the domain of darkness.
• Once we were drawn away He made it possible for us to be transferred into His kingdom.  To be transferred into this new kingdom took the actions of God's beloved Son on the cross.
• He drew us and also made it possible for a transfer to happen to a new kingdom and then gave us "redemption" which means "to deliver by payment of a ransom."  He gave as a gift to us His very life as payment for our sins to stand before God forgiven.

Please note that nothing in this sentence has anything to do with what "I did" or "how good I am."  God is doing all the acting on our behalf and we should be overwhelmed and continually overwhelmed by this act of love toward us and for us.  This is good material for the new Christian and the old one to go over on a regular basis and tomorrow in our study Paul will go on with more basics of the gospel that we need to know and continue to know.  This is all important so that will will continue to walk in a manner worthy of Him and with respect to who He is and what He has done.  Let's pray. 

"Lord, may we be reminded today of why we live as we do.  May we find those answers in the pages of the Bible.  May those Bible answers direct our words, steps and actions with fruit that is worthy of You and giving You of much and all due respect.  May those words and actions, in bedded in us from our time with You, allow us to stand with steadfastness today even in turbulent times because of Your steadfastness to us through the process of our own salvation.  Amen."

Pastor Adam