God's Will and Prayer (Colossians 1:9)

As a relevant aside, fully understanding God's will concerning a situation is a requirement for effective prayer. Confidence in prayer comes from knowing that we are praying for what God wants to happen. Scripture teaches that if we pray for anything according to His will then we will have what we ask for (1 John 5:14-15). Prayer is ineffective when it void of wisdom and understanding of God's will.

Wisdom and Understanding (Colossians 1:9)

Wisdom and understanding are practically synonymous. In relation to the knowledge of God's will revealed through scripture, they are both spiritual in origin. The only difference between them seems to be that wisdom is more general and understanding is more specific.

Wisdom is the ability to pull together the big picture from all that scripture teaches on a subject. Many topics in the bible are addressed in more than one place. Wisdom allows us to piece together what is taught to fully know God's will on a topic. For instance, teaching on marriage is spread throughout the bible so we are wise concerning marriage when we have gathered that teaching together into a coherent whole.

Understanding is the ability to apply biblical knowledge to a specific situation. When we are wise and know God's will on a topic, understanding allows us to apply what we know to a situation we are dealing with. For example, if a friend is contemplating divorce we will be able to apply biblical teaching on marriage to help them understand God's will in their situation.

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.

By the will of God (Colossians 1:1)

Paul's apostleship is not a role he chose for himself. God chose him in a dramatic and forceful way. According to Acts 9:1-22, Paul was determined to destroy the church but God stopped him on the way and imposed His will upon him (vs. 3-6, 15). Paul was an apostle and preacher of the gospel because he had been given a stewardship by God. He was compelled to this ministry even against his will (1 Cor. 9:16, 17).