I. V. 9 "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

     A. This verse is a continuation of verse 8 "Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit."
          1. Remember Paul had not met these folks so he is relying on the word of his wonderful friend in the ministry Epaphras verse 7.

          2. Notice here that Paul used one attribute that caused him not to doubt the trueness of their salvation, "Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit." Romans 8:9 "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

          3. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit of God. Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,"

          4. However, even though their love was great enough for Paul to count them as Christians, Paul told them to increase it. Colossians 3:12-14 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; (13.) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (14.) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

          5. Romans 5:5 "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."

      B. Verse 9 "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;"

         1. Paul says It is for this reason we heard of your love, and since the very first day, we have not failed to mention you in our prayers. Ephesians 1:15-16 "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (16.) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;"

         2. Notice the things Paul prayed for in V. 9b "and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;"

          3. Every believer is equipped to possess all of these things, however whether we will or not depends on the believer. Are you going to grow and mature in these things or not? A lot have not! Colossians 2:10 "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:" This is Paul’s prayer for them. V. 9 "…do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with…"

          4. Paul’s prayer and desire for them is that they be filled with "knowledge of his will" That is God’s will for them, but not just know His will but to do His will. The words "might be filled" means to be complete in, meaning not to just understand it but also going forth in it. Complete = fully filled! Acts 22:14 "And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth."

          5. This knowledge comes from the Holy Spirit through His word. John 14:26 "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

          6. Following knowledge should be "wisdom" V. 9 "…that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom…" However some Christians have the knowledge but not much wisdom, how sad. Ephesians 1:17 "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:"

          7. Question, if these Colossian believers had this knowledge and wisdom in seeking out God’s will would they have given these Gnostic teachers an ear?

          8. "…spiritual understanding" Two words here "spiritual" that is non-carnal or not worldly. And "understanding" meaning a mental putting together. 1 Corinthians 2:12 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." 1 Corinthians 2:13 "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." 1 John 5:20 "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life."

          9. A spiritual knowledge is to know God’s word (because the lost cannot), a spiritual wisdom is to understand how to use the knowledge you have of God’s word and will, and a spiritual understanding is to is to mature in God’s word from an infant to an adult. Putting it all together and using it in their understanding and everyday lives.

          10. Paul prayed for the church at Colossae because they did not have much, or else they would not have allowed these Gnostic teaches among them!!!!!

          11. Apparently a lot of Christians need these things today because Arminianism has captured them.