Filled with the Knowledge of His Will (Colossians 1:9)

Many people believe God's will is mystical, subjective, and virtually unknowable. They search for it, pray for it and hope they will some how find it. Paul seems to have a different point of view as he prays for the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God's will. He literally asks God to make them completely full, all the way to the top, with correct, exact, and full knowledge of what He wishes for them to do.

How can this be? How can we know what job to take, who to marry, or where to live? The answer is what, who, and where we want given some conditions. God has clearly revealed His will to us and we can know it. It has been revealed through the scripture. It does not tell us which job to take but it does tell us about how to earn and use money. It does not tell us which person to marry but it does tell us what kind of person to marry. As long as we fulfill what the bible teaches concerning money, marriage and every other area of life we are free to do as we please.

There are basically two reasons why we struggle with God's will in our lives. First, we are ignorant of what God has revealed concerning the issues we deal with. Hence Paul's request that God fill us up with complete knowledge of what He would have us do. Second, we refuse to do what we already know is right in favor of doing what we want.