We are continuing in our study of prayer as part of the PPOG for the purpose of determining just how and what we should pray for. At the moment we are examining Paul's prayers and we have seen in that the major focus in his prayers has been for them to appropriate by Grace the spiritual resources that God has provided and advance in God's plan for their lives.
In our present study we are examining Paul and Timothy's prayer in Col 1:9-12; where Paul is praying for the believer's spiritual growth.
9- Because of this, since the day we heard Epaphras' report we have not stopped praying for you asking specifically that you would be completely filled up with the knowledge of God the Father's intent in the sphere of wisdom and spiritual understanding.
10- to the end that you would conduct yourselves with conduct becoming the Lord to please Him completely (Conduct that imitates the pattern established by the Lord in his presentation and conduct that is empowered by the Lord in the age of his re-presentation) while being prolific by divinely good activities and growing in
the knowledge of God,
11- because of the omnipotence empowering you in accordance with the power of God's glory for maximum perseverance and patience (all the way to pleroma), accompanied by joy...
Paul's prayer is for them to be filled with the knowledge of his will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding was so that they would be able to walk and persevere in the Christian way of life in their regenerate identity (the "new" man) as a members of the new spiritual species who are the Royal Family of God members of the church and the body of TLJC.
This knowledge of God's will and spiritual wisdom and understanding was to enable them to persevere or "keep on plugging” in their spiritual advance by means of Bible Doctrine and the power of God the Holy Spirit for the purpose of pleasing him in all respects, to bear fruit in every good work and increasing in the Spirit taught knowledge of God because they were enabled to parlay that spirit taught knowledge of God into the power necessary to fulfill the objectives of the spiritual life.
We saw last time that the phrase "Being strengthened with all power according to the might of his Glory " includes three words for strength:
The Greek word translated “ strengthened” is "dynamoumenoi" which is the present passive participle of dynamoo. It has the basic meaning of "being able" or having capacity or ability. Since it is in the Passive Voice it indicates that the power is directed to the believer from God.
The Greek word translated “power” is "dynamei" the feminine singular noun of dynamis from the same root "dynamoo" which also refers to the believer "being empowered or enabled.
The Greek word translated “might” is kratos which in the New Testament scripture is only used to describe God's power, might or strength. It is often used to describe the presence of power or force rather than to describe its actual use.
In our passage it is used to describe the power of God which none can withstand, which is sovereign over all and is demonstrated in the life believers as God pours his power into them.
This power becomes available to the believer as they become aware of it from their consistent and persistent PMA of Bible Doctrine.
Knowledge is Power and that is certainly true of the spiritual power available inside the PPOG for the believer. This knowledge however not only enables, but as we have seen, transforms the believer into the image of TLJC.
The issue of spiritual strength therefore is what the believer thinks under pressure. The contents of the soul, or what one thinks, is who the person really is, Prov 23:7a; it is the home or place of residence of the soul. Prov 24:3-6;
The difference between a weak and a strong believer is wisdom "sophia", which is the application of the metabolized Spirit taught "epignosis" doctrine that has been implanted by God the Holy Spirit into the believer's soul by means of faith perception. 2Tim 3:15-17;
The Wise man is Strong, and a man with knowledge increases power. Prov 24:5-6;
This passage is describing strength or power that is acquired from wisdom, knowledge or wise counsel rather than overt physical strength. True power comes from the way one thinks.
Believers fail generally for two reasons, they lack the inventory of doctrine needed so that the doctrine can provide the "wise counsel" in the privacy of their soul which provides for mental strength in the situation, or they have the inventory of doctrine in their soul but refuse to apply it by means of the faith rest drill for some reason, normally because of some emotional reaction to their situation which causes them to become subjective and drawn into the situation rather than remaining objective and rising above the situation.
Mental strength produces character and character produces the proper action. Character is integrity and spiritual strength from the application of Bible Doctrine.
Spiritual strength gives the believer confidence to stand up against opposition. 2Cor 10:5
The strong believer utilizes the royal priesthood to advance spiritually and as a result has maximum capacity for production as soldiers and royal ambassadors.
God promises that He will reward believers for their work done through their application of Bible Doctrine through the power of God the Holy Spirit. 1Cor 3:12-15;
Believers should not grow discouraged and give up if the immediate circumstances do not look right or seem to have the potential to be right. God can make all things right.
It is only during the believer's time on this planet in unglorified sin infused bodies where mankind is functioning in the probationary permissive will of God that there can be incongruity between their perfect position seated at the right hand of the Father in union with TLJC and their imperfect experience on this earth.
Believers simply need wait on His perfect timing because it is God's timing that maximum impact is made and maximum Glory is accrued to God. Isa 30:18; Isa 40:31;Deut 33:26;