As we usher in the new year 2025, we look forward to a year whereby we can be fruitful and productive for the Lord! The new year is often a time when we set goals so that we can grow and improve ourselves moving forward. Spiritually, what are some goals that we ought to set for ourselves? In Colossians 1:9-11, the apostle Paul said a prayer, outlining certain aspirations that he held for the church at Colossae. Perhaps we can learn from Paul’s prayer about how we can improve ourselves in the upcoming year.
“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” (Colossians 1:9-11)
What was Paul’s prayer and desire for Christians?
1. To be filled with the knowledge of God’s will (v.9)
Many people spend their lives wondering what God’s will for them is. We do not have to wonder because the Scriptures tell us plainly what the will of God is. God’s will is for all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). God’s will is for us to be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3). God’s will is for us to give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18). God’s will is for us to do good (1 Peter 2:15). Hence, we must not remain “unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).
The apostle Paul prayed that Christians be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. We can know God’s will through the Scriptures. Hence, we need to study and know the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15). Furthermore, we need to do God’s will and practice it in our daily lives. As Jesus Himself said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). May we strive to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, and to practice God’s will in our lives.
2. To walk worthy (v.10)
The Christian life is often described as a walk. It is dangerous for Christians to sit still and stagnate. We must constantly be walking as we journey towards our Heavenly home. Also, we need to ensure that we are not walking in the wrong direction: instead of walking with God, many are walking in sin and darkness (1 John 2:11). The apostle Paul prayed for Christians to “walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” (Colossians 1:10).
In order to walk worthy before God, we need to “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7). Walking in the light means walking in holiness instead of sin. We need to “walk in truth” (3 John 1:4). Walking in truth means following God’s truth instead of falsehoods. We need to “walk after his commandments” (2 John 1:6). Walking after God’s commandments means practicing God’s commands instead of being lazy. We need to “walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16). Walking in the Spirit means following spiritual things rather than fleshly things. May we strive to walk in a way that is worthy and pleasing in God’s sight.
3. To be fruitful in every good work (v.10)
The Christian life must be a life of fruitfulness. Jesus likened Christians to branches of a vine. Every branch is expected to bear fruit. Unfortunately, there are branches that are barren of fruit. Jesus warns of the consequences of failing to bear fruit: “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away…” (John 15:2). We need to realize that, as Christians, we were created to do good works and bear fruit for Christ (Ephesians 2:10).
In order to be fruitful, we must bear the “fruit of the Spirit,” which includes desirable qualities such as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV). In order to be fruitful, we must bear the “fruit of righteousness” (James 3:18). In order to be fruitful, we must win souls for Christ (Romans 1:13). In order to be fruitful, we must, as the apostle Paul prayed for, endeavor to abound in “every good work” (Colossians 1:10). May we strive to be fruitful so that we can be branches that God is pleased with.
4. To increase in the knowledge of God (v.10)
This is the second time, in the same passage, that Paul prayed for the Christians to have “knowledge.” He had prayed for the Christians to be “filled with the knowledge of his will” (Colossians 1:9). On top of that, Paul prays for them to continue “increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). No Christian can say that he has been so filled up with God’s knowledge that he no longer needs to study God’s Word. Rather, we must continue to increase and grow in the knowledge of God’s Word.
In order to keep increasing in God’s Word, we need to be as the Bereans, who “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily” (Acts 17:11). We need to be as Timothy, who was instructed to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13). We need to be as the first century Christians, who assembled together regularly for worship and Bible study (Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25). May we strive to keep increasing in the knowledge of God.
5. To be strengthened (v.11)
Christians need to be strong in the Lord, so that we withstand against the wiles of the Devil (Ephesians 6:10-11). This strength does not come from our own selves; instead, true strength comes from God, and from His “glorious power” (Colossians 1:11; Philippians 4:13). In this life-long Christian race, we need God’s strength so that we can run with “all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (Colossians 1:11; Hebrews 12:1-2).
In order to be strong in the Lord, we need to rely on Him, rather than ourselves. Paul learnt through the thorn in his flesh that he must rely, not on himself, but on the power of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). In order to be strong in the Lord, we must put on the armour of God: the belt of truth; the breastplate of righteousness; the shoes of the gospel of peace; the shield of faith; the helmet of salvation; the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10-11). In order to be strong, we need to follow the wise man who built his house on a firm foundation. Jesus explains that the wise man is the one who hears and does His words (Matthew 7:24-27). In order to be strong, we need the support of our fellow Christians, so that we can encourage one another to persevere in this Christian race (Romans 15:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25).
Concluding remarks
In this new year, may we all continue to grow and improve ourselves, so that we can fulfil God’s desire for us. Let us no longer remain in ignorance, barrenness and weakness. Rather, may we keep increasing in the knowledge of God’s will, abounding in good works for God, and growing in the strength of the Lord. In this new year, let us grow, grow and grow!
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