READ: Col. 1:9–14: “… delivered from the power of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love …”
Over against the false doctrine of one’s own works, Paul points to the grace of God as riches without merit. Yet he urges the congregation to walk in God’s ways through faith in Christ. Believing is not only knowing that God exists, nor only accepting that you are redeemed, but it is above all also loving.
Faith desires to work through love, directed first toward God and His Son because of their redemption. Faith means knowing Him in love according to His Word and thus following Him (cf. Eph. 5:1,2). Let them not lose their first love! Paul makes known to the congregation that this is precisely what he continually prays for (v. 9).
This also stands before us. It requires effort: to walk worthy of the Lord “in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,” pleasing Him in all things. Seeking knowledge in order to merely possess it has little use. The Lord asks us in all things to discern what is fitting before Him and what is not (see also Phil. 1:9–11). That is not works-based righteousness, but fruit of gratitude (cf. Rom. 12:1,2). The Lord wills that we sanctify His name in our whole life, and thus increasingly bring forth fruits of gratitude.
To persevere in all this with joy, however, we continually need God’s strength, indeed all strength (v. 11). Only thus can we endure setbacks and trials and prevent discouragement. Consider this: for God nothing is too much; He is the Almighty, Himself possessing all strength and being unchangeably faithful. This exhortation cannot be without continual prayer! In his prayer Paul pleads with the Lord that He may work this in the congregation.
Besides prayer it is also necessary that you realize how rich you already are on earth as a believer, being permitted to live in communion with God and His Son! God the Father has already redeemed you through His Son from the power of darkness and conveyed you into the kingdom of the Son of His love! Yes, He already gives us an inheritance: the prospect of eternal glory (Rom. 8:17). That already now makes everything different, does it not? (cf. Rom. 8:30,32)
How do we work toward insight for our life of faith?
Singing: Ps. 86:4