Knowing God’s will and pleasing Him

Col 1: 3-5 & 9-12 (NLT)

We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we pray always for you, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [how you lean on Him with absolute confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness], and of the [unselfish] [c]love which you have for all the saints (God’s people); 5 because of the [confident] hope [of experiencing that] which is reserved and waiting for you in heaven.

9For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will 2in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things],

10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord

[displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity],

to [fully] please Him in all things,

bearing fruit in every good work and

steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts];

11 [we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; 12

 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.

Brief:

 What is His Will?

Brethren, we know Christ is the Father’s will. God said this when He declared "This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” – Luke 9:35 (NLT). Eph 1:9-10 God revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfil his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Jesus also said “I and the Father are one” – John 10:30. Jesus said “For whatever the Father does, the Son also does. – John 5:19b.

God’s Will requires walking by faith, despite the odds, knowing that he that has sent you is faithful to see you through.

Can we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, pleasing him?

 1Tim 3:16 (NLT) - It is quite true that the way to live a godly life is not an easy matter. But the answer lies in Christ, who came to earth as a man, was proved spotless and pure in his Spirit, was served by angels, was preached among the nations, was accepted by men everywhere, and was received up again to his glory in heaven.

Will there be persecution in following his will?

The answer is Yes!. But the bible tells us in James 1: 2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

There are men and women written in scriptures who followed his will and are there for our examples – Heb 11. They include;

Abraham – Heb 11: 8

 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.

Noah – Heb 11:7

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before.

Apostle Paul – Phil 1:21

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Mary of Galilee – Luke 1:38

………..be it unto me according to thy word.

     

PRAYER

• Lord in my Life, Let your will be done, - “be it unto me according to thy word”! 

 

• Grant me abundant Grace to deny self always and to follow Jesus to the end. 

 

• Lord, give me eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that perceives, in all spiritual wisdom with insight into your purposes, and in understanding of spiritual things. 

 

• Help me to remain steadfast in you, unwavering, displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity no matter the odds. 

 

• Help me Lord to bear fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for your precepts; 

 

• Lord strengthen and invigorate me with all power to overcome temptation at all times. 

 

• Let us thank the Lord for all that he has done for us.