The Glorious Power Of Sanity

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." - Colossians 1:9-14 ESV

Salvation pulls us out of insanity and puts us in our right mind. Power fills us. It is the power of patient endurance that has joy and thanksgiving.

Grace makes us sane. Oppression puts pressure on our mind in ways that change it's shape. The weight causes an imprint on the soul. God removes us from the impersonal power and authority of darkness and places us into the kingdom of his loved and loving Son.

I notice that the prayer Paul prays is for knowledge, spiritual wisdom and understanding of what has already been accomplished. A progression that needs to be understood. Information comes in then it must be processed before it can be experienced. Spiritual wisdom is Biblical wisdom. It is wisdom that sees the character and nature of God... wisdom that has the cross as a focal point... wisdom that is not detached from reality but explains reality in the light of eternity. If that wisdom is employed then understanding will provide the platform for the will and faith choices can be made which will produce fruit.

God has delivered us. It is a past tense deliverance that allows for present tense understanding and future fruit.

This is how every generation before us has been fruitful in faith. Now it is our turn.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Perhaps we seek a different kind of power... a strength of body or mind or an alignment of opportunities and resources before we walk by faith but in truth those things, if they come, are things that come later. Understanding is first. Glorious power. The power that reveals the glory of the person and finished work of Christ is the foundation of salvation. If that is revealed no weakness will ultimately hinder us from walking in a way that is pleasing to the Father.

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