We strive toward God and try to find communion with Him in prayer. This longing of the soul for God is so beautiful that few words on earth are capable of describing it. But can we deliberately, by an act of our own will, deny ourselves...
We strive toward God and try to find communion with Him in prayer. This longing of the soul for God is so beautiful that few words on earth are capable of describing it. But can we deliberately, by an act of our own will, deny ourselves this communion? Let us think about it. Imagine simply not allowing ourselves to attend the liturgy. The very thought is disturbing: how could we forbid ourselves to take part when unseen wings are carrying us there?
Yet this is precisely what Peter does when he exclaims, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” A very similar episode in spirit, found in three Gospels, is the story of the healing of the centurion's servant, or his son in the Gospel of John. With the same humble awareness of his unworthiness, the centurion does not allow Jesus to enter his house. It is paradoxical. The Lord Himself wishes to come to you, and you do not want to receive Him? Something unimaginable.
With time, however, one begins to understand that true communion with God consists precisely in this humble refusal to impose one's company upon Him. Very often, when we are in a kind of euphoria over God's nearness and involuntarily try to intensify it, because this state is so beautiful, we ultimately fall into temptation and stray from the path.
But perhaps such restraint in communion is only our duty, while the merciful and perfect Lord, when He gives, gives “grace upon grace,” as the Gospel of John says, and sends so many fish that the nets begin to tear.
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1:9 We pray for you - This was mentioned in general, Col 1:3, but now more particularly.That ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will - Of his revealed will. In all wisdom - With all the wisdom from above.And spiritual understanding - To discern by that light whatever agrees with, or differs from, his will.
1:10 That, knowing his whole will, ye may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing - So as actually to please him in all things; daily increasing in the living, experimental knowledge of God, our Father, Saviour, Sanctifier.
1:11 Strengthened unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness - This is the highest point: not only to know, to do, to suffer, the whole will of God; but to suffer it to the end, not barely with patience, but with thankful joy.
1:12 Who, by justifying and sanctifying us, hath made us meet for glory.
1:13 Power detains reluctant captives, a kingdom cherishes willing subjects. His beloved Son - This is treated of in the fifteenth and following verses. Col 1:15
1:14 In whom we have redemption - This is treated of from the middle of Col 1:18. The voluntary passion of our Lord appeased the Father's wrath, obtained pardon and acceptance for us, and, consequently, dissolved the dominion and power which Satan had over us through our sins. So that forgiveness is the beginning of redemption, as the resurrection is the completion of it.