December 3rd
Fifth Day of Advent
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints of light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:9-14
What does it mean to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will or to grow in the knowledge of God? Certainly, knowledge includes our intellect, but true spiritual knowledge includes so much more.
For me, the academic rigor of seminary, the pursuit of intellectual knowledge, often draws me away from intimacy with God. I power through my list of readings and papers without abiding in the One who most loves me. In pursuit of intellectual knowledge, I conquer the material instead of allowing the material to conquer me. Do you ever feel the same? Do you power through your devotions without the words seeping into your heart?
James K.A. Smith defines discipleship as a matter of hungering and thirsting, an aligning of our loves and longings with God’s desires. This occurs through worship, prayer, and stillness. We must stop, listen, and abide in God’s word. We must allow space for intimacy with Jesus. Spiritual knowledge invites us to be mastered by the One who loves us. Biblical knowledge no longer becomes information to be conquered but God’s word becomes transformative spiritual food that seeps into our soul.
The Savior is coming. The baby will be born in a stable. Let us worship Him. Let us be rescued by His glorious power, transformed out of darkness and into the light. And as God transform our hearts…
We will live lives worthy of the Lord.
We will please the Lord.
We will bear fruit.
We will be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power.
We will be prepared to endure everything with patience.
We will joyfully give thanks to the Father.
We will be enabled to share in the inheritance of the saints of light.
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