Colossians 1:9–14 ...to the Father, Who Has Qualified You...

Colossians 1:9–14 ...to the Father, Who Has Qualified You...

Main Idea: We are not qualified by our effort but by the Father’s mercy, and the life we now live must reflect the Kingdom into which we’ve been transferred.

Introduction

Some job applications shut the door before you even start. No degree, no certifications, not enough years of experience. You don’t meet the qualifications, so you don’t get in. Advancement means hard work and proof of value. The more you bring to the table, the better your shot.

Christianity isn’t like that. It works in reverse. The starting line is the honest admission that you are unqualified. You are not a good candidate. You are not righteous. You do not deserve the position. But because of Christ, you are granted full status, full access, and full inheritance.

You are not accepted because of your qualifications. You are accepted so that Christ may display His qualifications through you. And now, as a believer, your life becomes the visible outworking of what He has already done.

1. Paul’s Prayer: That You Would Know God’s Will (Colossians 1:9)

Paul tells the Colossians that from the day he heard of their faith, he had not stopped praying for them. He asked that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

This wasn’t a vague or mystical wish. Paul wasn’t asking that they figure out God’s will for their job, relationships, or daily decisions. He was praying that they would grasp what God truly desires, what He calls His people to be and do. This kind of understanding doesn’t come through guesswork or tradition. It flows from the gospel itself, through the work of the Spirit, into a transformed mind.

The gospel tells us that we were under wrath because of sin, walking in darkness and rebellion. But through Christ, we have been forgiven, adopted, and made new. That new heart gives us the ability to discern between good and evil, to live holy lives, and to reflect the will of the God who saved us.

Scripture makes clear what His will is:

  • That we live humble, obedient, and peaceable lives in the world (1 Peter 2:13–17)
  • That we grow in holiness and pursue sexual purity (1 Thessalonians 4:1–8)
  • That we remain active and faithful within the body of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:14–22)

We are not left guessing. God’s will is not hidden. And Paul’s prayer is that we would know it deeply and live it visibly.

2. The Life That Pleases the Lord (Colossians 1:10–12)

Paul then describes the kind of life that pleases God. It is not a list of rules, but a portrait of transformation, a life that walks in step with the gospel. And this life is not achieved by willpower. It is developed over time, like an upward spiral, by the work of the Spirit through the Word.

Four marks begin to appear:

Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work
This is more than doing good things. It is the outflow of a life rooted in Christ. The Spirit produces fruit that aligns with the character of God and blesses others (Galatians 5:22–23).

Increasing in the Knowledge of God
Knowledge and action grow together. Just as an athlete improves by learning the game and trusting their coach, we grow by receiving instruction, fearing the Lord, and walking in His ways (Proverbs 1:7, 2:5, 9:10).

Enduring with Patience and Joy
This is supernatural. Paul wrote these words from prison. He had no freedom, no comfort, and no promise of release. But he had joy. That kind of joy in suffering is not from within. It is the power of the Spirit (Romans 5:1–5, James 5:7–11).

Giving Thanks to the Father
Gratitude is rooted in one astonishing truth, God has qualified us. He has made us fit to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. That inheritance is imperishable, unfading, and kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:3–9).

Like a child who inherits a fortune they did not earn, we receive the full rights and riches of Christ, not because we are worthy, but because He is.

3. Why We Live to Please Him (Colossians 1:13–14)

Why should we live in a way that pleases the Lord? Why submit to His Word? Why obey His commands? Because He has delivered us. He has transferred us out of the domain of darkness and into the kingdom of His beloved Son.

This is not just encouragement. It is authority. Christ has every right to command us. He is not a religious consultant. He is not a therapist or spiritual guide. He is King. And He did not rescue us so we could live for ourselves. He rescued us to walk in the light of His reign.

Paul says we have redemption. That means the price has been paid. We have the forgiveness of sins. That means we have peace with God. But none of it was free. It was purchased by the blood of Christ. He did not save us so we could coast. He saved us so we would walk in a manner worthy of His name.

There is no one like Him. Angels who sinned were not given mercy (Hebrews 2:5–18). But we were. And even if God had condemned every man and woman, He would still be good. The fact that He forgives sinners and qualifies them for His kingdom should lead us to reverent, joyful obedience.

The call to repent is not a suggestion. It is a command from the sovereign King. Do you believe Him? Will you trust and obey?

Reflection and Application

What is shaping your life right now?
Is it the will of God or the pull of your past? Do you know what He desires from you, or are you guessing and drifting?

Are you growing in fruit, knowledge, endurance, and gratitude?
You may not feel strong in all four. But are you walking upward? Are you submitting to the Spirit, pressing into the Word, and letting the gospel fuel your progress?

Do you remember what He saved you from?
You were in darkness. But now you are in His kingdom. That shift is not cosmetic. It’s a full transfer. You belong to a new King, and your life should reflect that citizenship.

Let us respond to His mercy with devotion.
Live obedient, quiet lives. Live holy and set apart. Be an active participant in the church. Grow in the knowledge of Christ, submit to the Spirit, and give thanks for the hope of a salvation still to come. You are not qualified by your effort. But because of Christ, you are qualified. So now, walk in a way that pleases the One who called you.

Scripture References

  • 1 Peter 2:13–17 – God's will includes humble obedience to earthly authorities as a witness to the world.
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 – God's will is our sanctification, especially in the area of sexual purity and holiness.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:14–22 – God’s will is seen in active participation with the body of Christ and spiritual maturity in daily life.
  • Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of the Spirit displays the character of Christ in our lives.
  • Proverbs 1:7, 2:5, 9:10 – Knowledge of God begins with reverence and is deepened by submission and wisdom.
  • Romans 5:1–5 – Suffering produces endurance and hope, all rooted in the love of God poured out by the Spirit.
  • James 5:7–11 – The call to patient endurance is modeled by the prophets and met with the Lord’s compassion.
  • 1 Peter 1:3–9 – Believers are given an imperishable inheritance that produces joy and faith even in trials.
  • Hebrews 2:5–18 – Christ, not angels, is the Savior who took on flesh to redeem and sanctify His people.

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