PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD " . . . we also, since the day we heard it . . . " -- Tomorrow:
"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; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Colossians 1:9-11, KJV)
Devotion 6 of 32
The condition and progress of the Colossian brethren were so significant that it had induced a godly response in Paul and Timothy from the very first: "since the day we heard it." Spiritually sensitive souls find occasion to rejoice when the work of the Lord is comprehended in others. God IS "working salvation in the midst of the earth" (Psa 74:12), and blessed are those who are able to behold it! That indispensable work was being done among the Colossians, and Paul recognized it.
The awareness of their condition was not the result of, what I will call, "church reasoning." That is, because of a report that the Colossians had "accepted the Lord," their faith in Christ and love for all the saints was NOT assumed. The faithful report of Epaphras confirmed the presence of fruit, not mere human decision. It revealed the working of God, not only in turning to God, but going on to perfection. The report of people turning to the Lord is good. The report of them continuing in the faith is better. The report of people obeying the Gospel is good. The report of them cleaving to the Lord with purpose of heart and continuing in the faith is better.
This certainly does not demean the glorious announcement of sinners being brought to repentance, turning to the Lord, and obeying the Gospel. The people of God rejoice in all valid beginnings. However, spiritual beginnings are of no consequence if the work is not brought to completion, or the work is not performed "until the day of Christ." From heaven's point of view, a tree or a branch without fruit serves no real purpose.
What Paul has seen in the Colossians is fruit – the evidence of the continuance of the work of God, and it has prompted the prayer before us.
FOCUSED PRAYER
It was so apparent these people had been singularly blessed, that Paul immediately sought the Lord concerning them. The focus of his prayers was not their correction, but their continuance and advance in the Spirit i.e., their "perfection" (Heb 6:1). Other places this is called "perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord" (2 Cor 7:1), cleaving to the Lord "with purpose of heart" (Acts 11:23), continuing "in the faith" (Acts 14:22), and continuing "in the grace of God" (Acts 13:43). This is growing up into Christ "in all things" (Eph 4:15), "living by faith" (Heb 10:39), and being conformed "to the image" of God's Son (Rom 8:29). It is growing in "the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 3:18), becoming "grounded and settled" (Col 1:23), and becoming able, with all saints, to "to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height" (Eph 3:18).
Whatever a person may think of these qualities, the hope of forever being with the Lord is not held out to those who lack them. There is nothing about salvation that allows for perpetual spiritual juvenility, prolonged ignorance of the things of God, or a lack of constant conformity to the image of Jesus. The modern church may allow for such things, but God does not. The awareness of this circumstance is what contributed to the fervency and focus of Paul's prayers for the Colossians.
There is a vast repository of Divine goodness that becomes available to all who are in Christ Jesus. All saints have access to this rich treasury, but all are not as aware of it as they could be. Between the child of God and the wealth grace brings there are battles, enemies, trials, and all manner of distractions. Our "adversary the devil" stalks about "as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour," and no saint is exempt from his attacks. That condition requires spiritual maturity, and growth in "grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 3:18). All manner of spiritual gifts have been given to the body of Christ to ensure growth into Christ. Jesus Himself is interceding in heaven to bring us to perfection (Heb 7:25). The Holy Spirit works within us to bring about the "end of our salvation" (Rom 8:27). Now Paul joins in this work by his prayers, as well as through his teaching.
Institutionalized Christianity has hidden these things to casual disciples (if, indeed, there be such a thing). That is why this prayer is not heard in most churches, or included in most of the religious writing that is popular these days. This is all the more reason why we must give heed to this prayer. It will reveal to us the real nature of spiritual life, together with its involvements.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to assist my brothers and sisters to enter fully into the purpose for which You are saving them.