Right Words

Col. 1:9-12; 4:12

It’s one thing to know the will of God, and Paul and Timothy (“we” of 1:9; cf. 1:1), were praying for the Colossian believers along these lines. But it’s another to stand in the will of God (4:12), i.e., actually be fulfilling it. Remember the servant in Luke 12:47 “which knew his lord’s will…neither did according to his will” (italics mine)? Big gap there: one that cost the servant much pain. Hence Epaphras’ prayers for the Colossians et al. (4:13) to also “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Each of us should pray for other believers to not only know the will of God but also to fulfill it in their lives.

But how does one get from knowledge to fulfillment? Well, what lies between 1:9-12 and 4:12? The doctrine and practice for member’s of Christ’s body. For a saint in this age to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, they need to understand the will of God as revealed in Ephesians and Colossians and carry it out according to the principles in those epistles. Of course, some aspects of the will of God transcend the dispensations, but Ephesians and Colossians are the only portions of scripture directly aimed at members of Christ’s body today. They alone reveal the heavenly status of believers in this age “hid in God” until revealed to Paul in Rome (Eph. 3:1-9; Col. 1:25-27).

If you’re interested in learning more about this position, please let me know. I will likely cover it in more detail in future posts, but I can also refer you to helpful works on the topic.