Colossians 1:9-14 INTERCESSION It is not uncommon for much of our prayer life to be focused on ourselves and what we want rather than on thankfulness for what we have. Even more so is the general nature of our intercessory prayers on behalf of others. The Colossian believers would have no difficulty knowing what Paul was praying for on their behalf. It would have opened a whole new area of their understanding of who they were, compared to those promoting heresy among them. The heresy centered on ceremony and what they should not do. Angels were exalted, and Christ depreciated. Secret knowledge was contrasted to divine wisdom, and tradition and human wisdom was exalted. In this prayer, these saints were directed to the higher ground on which believers stand and to the preeminence of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has forgiven us of our sins.
How greatly we appreciate hearing of fruit in the Gospel and how important it is that we become intercessors on their behalf. They hardly know what happened to them and are easy prey to unscrupulous deceivers looking for people to follow them and their false teaching. It is incumbent on us to earnestly pray for new believers from the "first day." Generalized praying has its place, but as we learn more about what God is doing, where, and who the new saints are, we need to commit ourselves to more specific intercession for them and the needs they have.
The need for spiritual perception is universal when God saves precious souls. Those new believers have just begun to live as those who are raised from the dead, and everything in their lives is new. How they interact with their spouse and family is affected. How they work, and their attitude changes as they begin to do their work "as unto the Lord." Leisure time, the source of their pleasure, the way they speak, what they listen to, and the control of the mind is all implanted by this new life in Christ. The need for spiritual insight into every aspect of life is needed. The saints at Colossae needed spiritual intelligence to grow in what they already had rather than seeking something new, like miracles and signs that were being pushed by false teachers who had come among them.
They had heard the word of truth. They had believed what they heard, and God had saved them. They had been taught by Epaphras and had learned and been faithful to what they had been taught. Now they were responsible to make that knowledge real by using that knowledge of God's will and applying it in daily practice. Understanding comes when we use the wisdom God gives us. There had been evidence of true faith, hope, and love in the people of God there. Now they were called upon to act in agreement with God and do His will. Spiritual understanding is not real until there is some evidence that it is more than just wishful thinking. Some people have been led astray by those who emphasize feelings and emotional displays rather than faith and a Christ-like life.
The next part of Paul's prayer concerned the Colossian saints' obedience to the walk of faith that is "worthy of the Lord." Careless walking in life to please men is not what is in the mind of the one praying or the Lord to whom he is making his or her intercession. "All wisdom" in understanding leads to "all pleasing" in living. The point is that we are to be pleasing to the Lord, not just to men. When we have experienced God's grace and know God's will, we will learn Himself, which makes us fruitful. Learning and living go together in one who is walking worthy of the Lord. There is direction as well as progression in their life. Our walk and work go together. Service for God and worship of God go together as well. The more we obey God and yield to His will for our lives, the more we will increase our knowledge of Him personally.
Paul's prayer for those saints was that their spiritual perception would lead them to a worthy walk, a fuller life, a greater knowledge of God, and greater strength to serve Him. The request for power was that they might be able to endure with divine power, the suffering consistent with believers’ godly walk. God's people need Him so that they can be patient and strong under pressure. A dark, stoic countenance is not what is anticipated in a Christian who is going through a difficult time. The patience displayed with a joyful spirit and countenance has a great impact for good on those who look on and wonder at the grace of God being shown. The moral excellence of a thankful spirit is not normal for those who suffer. By the power of God, His grace is made evident when a person chooses joy rather than resentment and thankfulness instead of selfishness.
That thankful spirit is an expression of one who is fit for heaven and is a "partaker" of all that heaven holds for us. To display a heavenly character here under suffering is evidence of those who are in "the kingdom of His dear Son" or "the Son of His love." The Jews wanted the kingdom on earth they once had to be theirs again. There will be in the future 1000 years of a peaceful kingdom under the reign of the Lamb who sits on the throne. Today we can now enjoy our inheritance in the kingdom of the Son of God's love - even when suffering. We can experience those blessings now under the stress of trials with joyfulness. How much more will we be enjoying such grace in the future?
In this prayer, there is also worship, thanksgiving, and remembrance. Paul includes in one short statement all that God, in His grace, has provided. Christ has delivered us from Satan's power, transferred us into His kingdom, provided redemption for us, and granted true forgiveness. Every aspect of this great salvation exalts the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who has the preeminence. His personal glory is in view in this statement that reads like a hymn of praise and worship. He is preeminent in the Gospel. He is preeminent in redemption and all that has resulted from that great work. In our prayers of intercession, it is good for us to be specific as to the present need and also as to the anticipated result and the blessings that follow.