Filled, Growing and Giving

Paul was always praying for the churches he helped found, and in his letters we can see his heart expressed to the believers as they navigated in this new faith. The letter to the Colossians is no exception. Look at verses 9-14 of chapter
  "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." (NKJV)

I want to look at a few things in this text that should be a great benefit to the believer. First he wants them filled with two important things. He wants them filled with the knowledge of His will and filled with wisdom and understanding. The word will in the Greek means desire, do it would be accurate to say that we should be filled with the knowledge of what God desires, both for the world and for us personally. Tie with that being filled with wisdom and understanding to know how to accomplish the things his will (desires) teach and ask of us.

Why does Paul want that? Notice the next few verses, the key is growth. He wants growth in three key areas, fruit, knowledge and strength. He wants the believers to bear much spiritual fruit so that others will see the hand of God in their lives. He wants their knowledge of scripture, the Christian Life and all other areas to show real growth. From this growth comes the ability to gain strength to fight the warfare we are involved in.

Lastly, he wants them to give thanks, the thanks comes from the filling and the growth. We are to give thanks that we share in the inheritance of the saints, give thanks for our transfer from death to life, and that we have been redeemed by Christ. In other words be thankful for ALL that God has done in our lives as He has moved us into a new place of living!!

There is so much more good stuff in these verses that this only scratches the surface, read and pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to you and help you be filled, grow, and give thanks.

Grace and Peace be multiplied to you.
Eric