Colossians 1:9-12

A Supernatural Life for Supernatural People – Part 2

Colossians 1:11 – 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously

A. strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might – Here see where a Christian gets their strength for the supernatural life, from the only supernatural source, God. How can we possibly live in such a way as we have described, unless we do it being “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might.” Therefore see the great necessity that we seek God for His power to “walk in a manner worthy of Him.” See here the great wise plan of God in our sanctification. He has commanded us to live in a manner beyond our power and capability, therefore we must humbly come to Him in faith to receive that “strength” and “power” that is needed to do it. For this the Apostle labors in prayer for the church…. Oh God, give them power, “according to your glorious might!” Here Paul prays for no small thing, and neither is your Christian life no small thing. It will take God’s power for you to live it. Either you will seek Him for it and walk in it, and thus glorify and enjoy Him, or you will wallow in misery and discontentment until you figure out that your purpose in life is to walk in His will, by His power, and to thus glorify and enjoy Him. To this you were called, that is to the supernatural life in the Kingdom of God. Christian life is a privilege beyond all other privileges in the world, but it is also a high, holy and demanding calling. It will cost you everything you have, including your very life (Luke 9:23-24), but the benefits are far beyond even comparing. Isn’t this what Paul told us elsewhere? …

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – 16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. NASB

B. for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously – Here see yet another supernatural attainment of the Christian life, “the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously.” Now it is one thing to exercise patience, it is another thing entirely to do it with joy. Being steadfast in all these virtues can be a very difficult thing at times, and this is another reason we cannot do it apart from God’s power. William Burkitt comments.. “That patience, much patience, very much patience, yea, all patience is needful, nay, absolutely and indispensably necessary, to enable a Christian to bear some trials, and to glorify God in an afflicted condition. All patience, I say, is necessary in order to the cheerful bearing of afflictions, that is, patience at all times, patience under all crosses, patience, if possible, without any mixture of impatience; patience that may give a man the possession of himself, and quiet the whole man, the tongue, the hand, and the heart. Such measures and degrees of patience as will keep the heart from sinking, the tongue from complaining, and the hand from revenging. Lord! grant, that whenever any of thine are called forth to suffer either for thee, or for thine, they may be strengthened with all might, according to thy glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness” Let us therefore look to God for His glorious power that in whatever circumstance He might call us to walk by His Providence, that we might be steadfast, patient and joyful, so that he might be glorified in us!

Colossians 1:12 – 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.   NASB

 A. giving thanks to the Father – See here the blood that runs through a Christians veins, gratitude! Dear saint, have you been saved from sin and death, from the pain and anguish of battle and enmity with God…… Have you been snatched from the eternal fires of hells torment, where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched?….. Have you been cleansed and washed from the guilt of all your sins, and showered with innumerable blessings from the gracious and forgiving God of Heaven?…. Have you received every spiritual blessing in Christ and given the hope of eternal life in God’s glorious kingdom forever where there will be no more dying or crying or mourning or pain? …

Has Christ given you by oath His own holy and happy friendship and made you a fellow heir with Him of all of the Father’s blessings, world without end?…. Has He rescued you from every trial and seen you through to this very day, filling you with His hope and courage to face each day, knowing that He is always with you and will never forsake you, but will uphold you and bring you safely into His Father’s glory?….. Indeed He has. Thus Paul says, “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Are you grateful? What then should you do?….. Stop grumbling and complaining and rather “give thanks” with a grateful heart to the Father! For He sent His Son to live and die in your place, so that He would “qualify” you to share in the inheritance. It is an inheritance beyond our comprehension. So great is it that Paul prays that God would open our eyes to see it…

Ephesians 1:18-19 – 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. NASB

1 Peter 1:3-5 – 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. NASB

Dear Christian consider what the magnitude of this promise is…. “the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints”…..Let us “saints in light” then, give thanks to the Father for the great things He has done.