Colossians 1:9–14 (ESV)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to
walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and
patience with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred
us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
We are saved through God’s
grace and the faith he has given us… and that IS what saves us. It is not through our works. Now we are called to do good works… with our salvation as our motivation. Not that we earn it, but because we are saved, we are motivated
through love and gratitude to do good works. Paul is praying “that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully
pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” I know when my favorite sports team scores, I jump up and down through excitement. As Christians, we respond to Jesus love for us by sharing love with one another.
I pray: O Lord, I give thanks for all you have done for me. Help me to share your love with others.
Amen.