Knowing the Will of God

Col. 1:9-12 is a prayer that believers would know God's will. Paul wrote to a church in danger due to false teaching that had sprung up. A mixture of gnosticism, which said you needed secret, hidden knowledge above scripture in order to be saved and please God; and Jewish legalism which said you had to follow their set list of do's and dont's. Paul and Timothy had heard of their love in the Spirit, and they knew of the spiritual dangers present in that church, so they prayed. What did they pray for? Things that can't happen unless God does it and we cooperate.

How do you know what God wants you to do? How do you know who to marry, where to move, what career to choose? Col. 1:9 shows three things God does so His people can know, and do, His will.

1. God fills us with knowledge of what He wants. Knowledge is knowing what to do. To know exactly, to recognize. Knowing what to do. 2 Pet.3:18 grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2. God gives us ability to know how to do what He wants. In all spiritual wisdom. The Greek word is Sophia, skill, awareness coupled with ability, given by God's Spirit. Wisdom is knowing how to do what we are called to do. James 1:5 God gives wisdom.

3. God enables us to cooperate with what He wants. In all spiritual understanding. Knowing the reason why, the purpose behind it. God wants to fill you with His understanding. Understanding is actually doing what you know to do. Applying it to life. 2 Tim.2:7 the Lord gives understanding.

Why does God want to fill us with the knowledge of His will? So that we might do His will and glorify Him. The process by which we discern the will of God is of utmost importance.

In order to know God's will...

1st, You need to Love Jesus above all. v. 10 says to "Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects." Walk means live. Worthy means you live in a way that is consistent with what you believe. Live in a way that identifies you as someone Jesus has saved.

2nd, Saturate yourself in God's Word. v. 10 speaks of "increasing in the knowledge of God." Marinate. Most people who claim to believe in Jesus aren't soaking in God's Word, they are not immersed, they are sprinkled, they have a little on them, enough to be dangerous, but they are not flavored by it. They expect God to speak but they won't listen to what He says in His Word.(Ps.119:130; 2 Tim. 3:16)

3rd, Devote yourself to prayer. v. 9 says "We have not ceased to pray for you." Be a prayer warrior. Talk with God. Epaphras prayed, Col. 4:12 that they would "stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." Some people have no clear direction from God. Some can't see clearly spritually due to unconfessed sin in their life. There is direct connection between confessing sin and receiving direction from God. (Ps.25 and 32).

4th, Seek Godly counsel. v. 12 says God has "qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light." Know anyone you really trust, they are humble and gentle like Jesus,they humble-bold, gospel-changed, servant-leaders? Ask their advice. We are not independent contractors. We are a part of a body, a family. We need one another.

5th, Exercise wisdom. v. 11 speaks of being "Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience." As you walk in, or live by, wisdom, you will do what God requires...confess sin, repent, love, forgive, serve, show compassion. v. 10 says Bearing fruit in every good work. This is the result of being rightly aligned with God. Doing His will, doing the things He wants.

If you are doing the first 5, you can freely do the next thing. If not, don't even think about it, you can't handle the truth. You will use it for your own benefit and not the glory of God. If these things are true and real in your life, you can't go wrong.

6th, Do whatever you want. v. 12 says "Joyously giving thanks to the Father." Free in Christ to do God's will because you are not weighed down with stuff that blocks it. Clear reception. The Spirit of God will guide you in accordance with the Word of God to know and do the will of the Father. Psalm 37:4 delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Love God and do as you please. (Ps. 37:4)

Jim Elliot wrote, "wherever you are be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe is the will of a God." Prov. 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path, make your paths straight. Trust God every step of the way. God wants us to know His will so that we might do His will and glorify Him.