For this reason we also,
since the day we heard it,
do not cease to pray for you,
and to ask that you may be filled
with the knowledge of His will
in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding; that you may walk
worthy of the Lord, full pleasing Him,
being fruitful in every good work
and increasing in the knowledge of God;
strengthened with all might,
according to His glorious power,
for all patience and longsuffering
with joy; giving thanks to the Father
who has qualified us to be
partakers of the inheritance
of the saints in the light.
Colossians 1:9-12
Paul was a man or prayer: are you? Paul made intercession for those who came to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ, that they may be filled with the knowledge of God's will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. It is not to have some special revelation, some vision, some spiritual gift that some so eagerly seek. NO! We are to ask and will receive what it is that we need to fulfill our purpose for being alive and that purpose to to be God's arms, legs, mouth and to take the Gospel to the world. God is to be manifested in us, and we are not to look to find this manifesting of God, for God will be seen in us if we acquire the knowledge of His will. What is His will? Once again, it is to be an ambassador for Him, His Son who died upon the cross to pay the debt we owed Him for us and this He did by Himself and no other. We are to walk worthily of Him and to do this we must be proactive in being a witness to Him in all we do and say. If there is anything that is hindering this then we must remove that which is hindering. We are to increase in knowledge of Him and this is possible by the Holy Spirit working in us as we read His word and pray to Him. Are you looking for strength and might? You can have it according to the glorious riches of God. One such way to manifest God or to have God be manifested in us to to be patient with others, even with ourselves, to be longsuffering and all this is to be done with joy. It is a joy to be serving our God: is is not? Think upon this: we are to be partakers of the inheritance promised to all of God's children. Not because we are so good, so worthy, we are not and we cannot by our own strength make us qualified for God's promises. It is God who qualifies, it is God through His Son Jesus Christ: "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).
Conversion is not salvation! Salvation belongs solely to God. Conversion is our part for we are to make those necessary changes in our life as we gain knowledge of His will. Converted people are Authentic Christians with Authentic Christian Faith, not those who will accept, as though done in love, anyone and anything: i.e., homosexuality, same sex marriage, abortion, and teach a prosperity Gospel that is not the Gospel at all. God does not care about how much money you have, or how many toys you have, your home, your clothes, all God cares about is to be manifested in you. This is God's will for each and every child chosen by Him to be qualified to receive eternal life. God selects, God saves, it is all God. We have only one thing that is most important and that is to build our relationship with Him. God will make you willing if you will turn your mind, your heart, all that you think and desire to Him and allow Him to direct your way. Will you? God will not pick you up and place you where you do not want to be or go, but He will make it known to you through His Holy Spirit by means of all that He has revealed in His word: You have to choose to obey. God did not spare anything that would promote His glory. God sent His Son and revealed to us His glory. God is glorious in such a great way for by His glory He has granted salvation to all of His children. God is the end of all things as well as the cause.
We are not to be apathetic side-line Christians; we are to be active, to be a living witness to the world. We YOU?
When to start doing this? NOW? Will you? If it to be it is up to you (me)!
I will bear he indignation of the LORD,
becaue Ihave sinned against Him,
Until He pleads my case and executes
justice for me. He will bring me forth
to the light; I will see His righteousness.
Micah 7:9
Today: Allow God to be manifested in you
Richard L. Crumb
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