Always Please the Lord

Colossians 1:1-18

Here, where Paul tells the believers in Colosse how he is praying for
them, we discover rich insight into the Christian life. Let's consider
this to be a prayer for each of us -

Paul prays that God will give us spiritual wisdom and understanding.
But note that such wisdom is not an end in itself. Rather it is given
to us in order that we may live in a way which will always honor and
please the Lord.

"Always please the Lord" is not an injunction to do better in order to
earn our salvation. Jesus has already purchased our freedom from sin
and death. Through faith in him, we have become citizens of the kingdom
of light.

On the other hand, let us not despair when we desire to please God and
then feel we have somehow fallen short. He is the God of second
chances. He offers hope of transformation -

In Romans 12, Paul wrote, "I plead with you, in view of God's mercy, to
offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God ... be
transformed by the renewing of your mind." Again, "Let the Spirit renew
your thoughts and attitudes" (Ephesians 4:23). Seems pretty clear. The
Holy Spirit living in me desires to change my thinking. Change it from
"what do I want?" to "what do You want?"

Back to Paul's prayer. He asks God to give us complete knowledge of His
will. Then, as the Lord reveals His will and we choose to submit to it,
our lives will "produce every kind of good fruit" (v. 10).

And, because of our expectation of - our confidence in - the
inheritance awaiting us in heaven, the fruit we bear will include "love
for all of God's people" (v. 4). (Ouch!) Surely this pleases the Lord.
"Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (1 John 4:21).
Impossible?

Ah, but there is more to Paul's prayer. We will grow as we learn to
know God better and better. And Paul's request for us is that we will
be strengthened with power from the Mighty One, the Captain of Heaven's
Armies. He's the Provider of all the endurance and patience we need.
And love. Hallelujah! Oh, let me remember to call on Him.

And may we be filled with joy and gratitude as we keep in mind our
amazing Christ - our Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Sanctifier. The
One in whom all things in heaven and on earth, all things visible and
invisible, hold together.

Deetje Wildes