One of the things I notice as I walk in Jesus is that I often stumble over the difference between my perceived understanding of who I am and His understanding of who I am. My eyes are often on what is “true” in my understanding of my flesh. His is based on absolute truth according to His love for me and the placement He has given to me through that love. The obvious failings can so outweigh the Word in my heart that I must stop and repent of that stumbling. It is not humility that makes a choice to look at those things, it is sheer unbelief.
I often say “If He said it, then I believe it.” Yet on a day to day level, this is not always easy.
9“We continue to ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, 10so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,” Colossians 1:9b-10 NIV
Living a life worthy and pleasing Him in every way, growing in the knowledge of God. WOW! That is a huge expectation from flesh people. Yes, it is! Yet, here it is and it is true. So, as I adjust my thinking to the thinking of my Lord through His Word, I become aware that He has made me “worthy” in every way, and that I please Him just because of who He is. Learning to live out that reality in His power is what the passage is talking about.
It has never been up to you or me. He always only awaits our permission, to move us and make real what Has been purchased through His sacrifice. As I choose Him, repeatedly, I make the permission real, and immediately it is true in me, of me, and about me.
Flesh will always argue, but faith will receive. So, as we continue through this passage, let us become receivers in our daily thinking. We can do all things that He asks because He lives within us and supplies us daily power – more than we can use.
Whatever the reluctance and whatever the seeming lack, remember 2 Peter 1:3.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” NIV
Next post – more on Colossians 1:9b-10. It’s too good to leave yet.
Mannaword 