THE TRUTH IN PRINT
June 2003, Vol. 9: Issue 5.

WHAT YOU CAN AND WILL DO IN CHRIST

By Bob W. Lovelace


     In this brief study we'll look primarily at the apostle Paul's prayer for the church at Colossae along with applications from his prayer for the saints at Philippi.  Herein one notes the things that Christians can and will do as they continue to walk in the light of Christ's word. This simple study should offer assurance to Christians that their efforts to serve God faithfully are attainable, as well as being greatly aided by others' prayers on their behalf. Brethren, pray for me. Dear reader, please consider the following prayer in the light of the declaration that Jesus made concerning bearing fruit and being productive (Read John 15:1-8).

PAUL'S PRAYER IN COL. 1:9-12

     The thoughts might be summarized by his praying that they might:

A. Be filled with knowledge, all wisdom and spiritual understanding (Col. 1:9).

That which follows is "not" accomplished without these (Cp. 2 Tim. 3:16-17). These are the sources of righteousness in our lives.

B. Walk worthy, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col. 1:9-10).

     Here is one's desire to please God in all things. The emphasis is on the "whole" ~  "all"(v.9),  "fully," "every." This desire doesn't come with a fixed number (quota), but always increases or excels still more (Cp. I Th. 4:1).

C. Compare 2 Peter 1:5-11.

     Here again the qualities necessary to bearing fruit are always increasing: "And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins" (2 Peter 1:5-9).

     Two words give further emphasis to our desire to please God: 1. "Abound" (v. 8) meaning  "to do, make or be more." 2. "Diligence" (v.5) describes our efforts! Additionally the verb  "giving" preceding "diligence" in verse 5 above means "to bring in beside," thus Peter tells us what we must add to the promises connected with our having escaped from the corruption that is in the world through lust.
1) "Diligence" (v.5) is a noun  meaning "to interest one's self most earnestly" (Thayer G4710). This shows how much you have interested yourself in your desire to please God. The verb (Thayer G4704) "diligence" is found in verse ten. Hear Peter, "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: [11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 1:10-11).  The "making" here is your making, or what depends on your own efforts to make your salvation certain or sure. It is "this" diligence that ensures  my acceptance when he comes (2 Pet. 3:14). Moreover the virtues listed are so necessary that he reminded them of these although though they knew the truth and were stable (2 Pet. 1:12). Those who know the most and are established in the faith can be confirmed still more and more!

D. Look again at Paul's statement, "And increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1:10).

1. "Increasing"  ~ Thayer's definition G837: 1) "to cause to grow, augment." Compare Ephes. 4:13, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:" a. Young men are proud when they attain the height of a man; Christians should desire and pursue a steady growth unto maturity. They should take pleasure in being mature in their spiritual thinking! Hear Paul,  "Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men" (1 Cor. 14:20). 

E. Strengthened for attaining all steadfastness and patience, with joy (Col. 1:11-12).

1. This is encouragement for those needing strength to not go out into the world and stumble again. One should mark the importance of "all" preceding steadfastness and patience. This is strength for "every situation" where I need steadfastness and patience in my life:
A) "Steadfastness": hupomone, Thayer's definition: 1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance; 2) a patient, steadfast waiting for; 3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance.
B) "Patience": makrothumia - Thayer's definition: 1) patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance; 2) patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs;
2. This strength is in my spirit or "inner man"  (Read Eph. 3:16; 6:10-18; Phil. 4:13)
3. This strength comes when one stops being foolish (unwise) and understands the will of the Lord (Read Eph. 5:17-21). a. "Foolish" - Eph. 5:17) ~ Thayer's definition: 1) without reason; 2) senseless, foolish, stupid; 3) without reflection or intelligence, acting rashly.  
4. This strength comes with Joy.

F. Joyously giving thanks to the Father (Col. 1:12).

     Dear reader here is reason for our thankfulness, "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Col. 1:13-14).  

Check Your Spiritual Growth With These Self-Test Questions:

1. Is my love for God and my brethren abounding "more and more" because of growth in knowledge and discernment? (Phil 1:9-12)
A) There's that word "Abound" again! This love doesn't come with a fixed number, but always increases or excels still more. Paul says "more and more" ~ As one said: "more willingly, more readily, sooner, and to a greater degree."

2. Do I approve the things that are excellent? (Phil. 1:10)
A) To "approve" means you approve and embrace the things that excel. This is not just saying I know something is right.
1) Cp. Heb. 5:14, "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Solid food (the Word) is that which sustains growth and maturity. Application enables one to discriminate or judge, unlike little children who pick up things that are harmful and put them in their mouths without discrimination. Compare Romans 12:2 where "proving" means to test and find out by doing God's will. We find out what pleases God by practicing His commands (Eph. 5:10). If you will do what He says and meditate on what you have done you will understand why it pleases Him and benefits you. 
2) This comes only when we get past carnality or the works of the flesh that make us dull of hearing, and spiteful of one another (Read I Cor. 3:1-3).  
3) When you get to maturity you just keep living by the same standard (Phil. 3:13-17)

3. Am I sincere and without offence? (Phil. 1:10)
a. To be sincere ~ Strong's G1506  (the sun's ray) and G2919; judged by sunlight, that is, tested as genuine (figuratively): - pure, sincere.  As when one buys a product and takes it out into the sunlight to inspect its perfection.
b. Blameless ~ Strong's G677  ~  actively inoffensive, that is, not leading into sin; passively faultless, that is, not led into sin: - none (void of, without) offence.


The Stated Goal

   Philippians 1:10-11,
   "That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; [11] Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. ( Read 1 Pet. 1:10-11)

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NOTE: If you are looking for "the church" that you read about in your New Testament then you will find an in depth study of that very church right here on our website, Fundamental Lessons on the Church. Just click here for Lesson One.

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