Reflections: This beautiful prayer at the beginning of Paul’s letter to the relatively young church in Colossae reveals a common choice of topic for Paul: his frequent prayers for the church he is writing to. This particular section of Paul’s prayer is for their knowledge of God’s will, and that God would give them the strength, power and conviction to carry it out. This prayer is based on the assumption of transformation; it is not easy to discern God’s will unless you’ve been transformed by the love of God, and even harder to actually take part in the outworking of God’s will. However, once the Gospel has begun to transform your heart and mind, you begin a beautiful journey of growing in true spiritual wisdom, not like the wisdom offered by false prophets in Colossae of the time. The phrase ‘to walk’ refers to one’s behaviour – this is not a strict set of rules or narrow guideline for pleasing God, rather a phrase to encourage believers to live in step with the Spirit, bearing fruit from salvation, never for it.
Question:Â What are you doing to keep walking in step with the Spirit, and to bear fruit that is pleasing to God?
Prayer:Â God, I thank you for your grace and your beautiful gift of salvation. I pray that I too grow in true wisdom and understanding, leading a life that is pleasing to you, in step with your Spirit. Lead me in your ways, that I may bear fruit and be empowered to serve you with patience and joy for all my days. Amen