There is a scientific principle that says for every action there is a reaction. In the case of our text today, Paul said that he has not stopped praying since he heard about the Colossians and their spiritual growth. He places a blessing on them for knowledge of God’s will and wisdom and divine understanding.
Beliefs that we truly hold we act upon. If I am convinced that I am in danger, I will attempt to protect myself. If I actually think a problem exists, I will do my best to solve that problem. In our daily lives we may say that we have certain beliefs. There are ways that demonstrate the reality of those convictions.
Without the demonstration of our convictions, we can be called into question. Under stress or in tragic moments we declare a retreat into what we say we believe. That retreat may not necessarily be full proof of our beliefs. It may be a front to hide our lack of depth.
Our behavior and difficulty may reveal how unsettled, and irregular are those claims of faith. It would be wise of us to take an inventory for what we say we believe and then provide proof that obligates us for some action. We could say that since I believe I’m in danger, then I will try to protect myself. We may be good at making the claims, but how do we verify that those claims are valid and functioning in our thoughts and lifestyle? The classic example is from a believer who says he needs to forgive others but refuses to do so.
This extends to basic tenants of faith. It includes a trust in Jesus that he hears and answers our prayers. It may be a request for guidance from the Holy Spirit for a particular problem. In this blog let us self-examine the sincerity of our faith, the ways we say we trust God. It is too easy to talk church talk. It is too easy to claim victory to the power of God without actually expecting something to happen. Let us start with some obvious claims that most people make and then ask yourself how we show the depth of those beliefs.
SINCE God loves me all the time, THEN ……. (how do we put into practice the reliance on his love?) …………………
SINCE God only has my best interest in mind, THEN ….( how do we show it?)…
SINCE God has full knowledge and wisdom, THEN …(how is that real to us?)…
SINCE there is an actual eternity, THEN…(how do we react in matters of it?)…
SINCE the Bible tells how to live successfully, THEN… (do we obey it?)….
SINCE I have read this and could discover other probing questions, THEN…(will this train of thought have any effect on me?)…….
Let us ask how much our claims of Christian living is demonstrated daily.
Let us keep in mind that our testimony to the world may be hindered by what inconsistencies we demonstrate to nonbelievers without realizing it.
Christian Writer 