Colossians: Pleasing God

Colossians- The Preeminence of Jesus Christ

Lesson Three: Three Truths about Pleasing God- Vs. 1:9-14

Pleasing God is knowing His will (1:9)

Vs. 9a

“For this reason”

Paul was thankful for their clear understanding of the gospel and them living out their faith in love. Since the gospel was bearing these fruits Paul always prayed for them.

We too should pray and be thankful for other believers, especially those who are living out their faith in love.

Vs. 9b

Paul asked that they would be “filled with the knowledge of [God’s] will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”

This is important because the false teachers were spreading all kinds of false information about spiritual growth. He wanted them to grow in spiritual wisdom and understanding according to the will of God, not the will of man. We will see this more in chapter 2.

Knowledge of God’s will is simply knowing God’s truth.

Wisdom is the application of this knowledge. This is the spiritual understanding we need. Finding God’s will comes through the knowledge of God but to “be filled” with God’s will refers to the application of that knowledge.

Paul’s prayer, as well as God’s will, is that we would live out the truths of scripture. God’s will is not some elusive hidden thing.  God’s will refers to people’s salvation and sanctification. If you are a believer living out the truths of scripture you have found the will of God and have “spiritual wisdom and understanding.” As Prof. Hendricks used to say, “God’s will is found in God’s word!”

Pleasing God is walking in His will (1:10-11)

Vs. 10-11

“walk worthy of the Lord”

This refers to us living our lives as a representative of Jesus Christ.  Remember that Paul thanked them for living as people of faith in Christ. Now he is praying that they would continue. He wanted them to…

“please Him in all respects”

This should be our goal, to fully please God with our lives. That God would look at our lives and be fully pleased with what He sees and how He is reflected to the world through us.

But how do we do this exactly? How do we live lives pleasing to God?

1.    Be fruitful in every good work.

God is pleased when the fruit of good works characterizes our lives because this is why we were saved (created in Christ- Ephesians 2:10).

2.    Increase in the knowledge of God

The knowledge that God wants us to know about Him has been revealed in the scripture. We need to know the scripture to obtain the knowledge of God. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

3.    Be strengthened by the glorious power of God

We cannot fully please God in our own strength. We must rely on the strength He provides. (Gal. 5:16)

4.    Being patient and enduring with joy

Life is often difficult. We often have no idea of God’s direction for our future. We must trust God and endure this time with patience.

In Romans 8:28 Paul writes, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God...” 

God desires what is good for us and our spiritual maturity. Whatever it is that we are going through, whatever decision you are trying to make, whatever concern you are holding onto…you must trust God and patently endure. It’s not easy and Paul doesn’t infer that it is. That’s why he says to “endure.” 

The blessing is that if we will rely on the “glorious power” of God we can live content and with patience experiencing the joy God intends for us. This is when we are being “fully pleasing” to God.

Pleasing God is being grateful for salvation (1:12-14)

Vs. 12

“giving thanks”

Paul prays that the believers here in Colossae are thankful to God for their salvation. He says that these believers have been…

·      Qualified to be partakers of the inheritance (eternal life and rewards)

·      Will eternally be with other saints in the Light (presence of God or the sphere of where God is – cf. 1 Jn. 1)

·      Delivered from the power of darkness

·      Transferred us into the kingdom of His beloved Son

·      Received redemption, the forgiveness of sins 

If you cant show thankfulness for all of this than you just cannot show thankfulness. These are some of the greatest truths and promises found in scripture!

How do we show this thankfulness to God?

Keep the context:

1.    Know God’s will by studying and learning the scripture

2.    Walk in God’s will by living out these truths

3.    Be fruitful in every good work

4.    Increase in the knowledge of God

5.    Be strengthened by the glorious power of God

6.    Be patient and endure with joy

7.    Live your life as a response of thankfulness to God for everything you have in Christ!