Colossians 1:9-14 Devotional – Walking in the Lord
Colossians 1:9-14 – Walking in the Lord
The prayers in Paul’s prison letters are certainly unique. To begin with, he prays for others and not for himself. The requests in his prayers center on spiritual blessings, not on material or physical matters. Of course, it is not wrong to pray about physical or material needs. But spiritual needs are vastly more important.
How would you pray for a group of people you had never seen? Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians in verses 9-12 are a model for us. As soon as he heard of the new faith of the Colossians, he began interceding with God for them, asking Him to give them knowledge, wisdom, strength, and joy. He prayed that the new believers at Colosse would grow into Christian maturity so that they might walk before God, pleasing Him and producing good works. All that Paul knew about the believers in Colossae was what he learned from their faithful pastor, Epaphras. Paul knew of the false teaching that was threatening the church, so he centered his praying on that problem. In his prayer, Paul made three requests. He prayed for spiritual intelligence (v. 9), practical obedience (v. 10), and moral excellence (vv. 11-12).
Humanities greatest problem is sin—a problem that can never be solved by a philosopher or a religious teacher. Sinners need a Saviour. Verses 13-14 present a vivid picture of the four saving actions of Christ on our behalf. He delivered us (13a), transferred (or translated) us (13b), redeemed us (14a), and has forgiven us (14b).
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)
Key Takeaways:
- A believer’s strength comes from God alone which produces great endurance and patience (v. 11)
- For those who believe, Christ has delivered you, transferred you (to the kingdom of light), redeemed you, and forgiven you (vv. 13-14)
- We should walk to please God (v. 10)