We close out with a passage from Adam Clarke. While his writing style is lofty, what he gives us here is something well worth reading over and over to gain what it gives us.

“Nothing could satisfy the Apostle, either for himself or his hearers, but the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace. The Colossians had knowledge, but they must have more; it was their privilege to be filled with it. As the bright shining of the sun in the firmament of heaven fills the whole world with light and heat, so the light of the Sun of righteousness is to illuminate our whole souls, and fill them with Divine splendor, so that they might know the will of God, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; in a word, that we might have such a knowledge of Divine things as the Spirit of truth can teach to the soul of man.”

It was part of Paul’s “Kingdom Passion” that we who know God’s Kingdom learn to do everything “in the best manner, in the most proper time, and in a becoming spirit.” He put it forth to us in a clear and plain manner that lets us know that “even a good work may be marred and rendered fruitless by being done improperly, out of season, or in a temper of mind that grieves the Holy Spirit.”

Oh, let us plead with the Holy Spirit that He will enable us to be fruitful in every good work. See now the following words from Paul. They are words from which we gain the substance of much praying that will make us more, and more, useful for God’s Kingdom while still in this age, and while we may very well be close to passing into the age to come.

 

Colossians 1:9-13 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.

 

FATHER, the longing of my heart only increases to know the ways, the ideals, the present day purposes for the spreading of Your Kingdom into all the earth. What I know of Your Kingdom enthralls my heart with an allurement like nothing else I have ever known. I praise You for delivering me from the power of darkness and bringing me into that realm of living where Jesus remains as my great Lord and Master.

 

Read now this interpretation of the Colossians passage as it is interpreted in The Message. This Scripture has been our guide for this entire devotional study.

 

Colossians 1:9-12 Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

13-14 God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating. (MSG)

 

 

 

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