STAND COMPLETE WITH FIRM CONVICTION - Pray for Firm Conviction

Pray for Firm Conviction



Epaphras also prayed for another thing that was vital if the Colossians were to be found finally standing acceptable to God.  It is equally necessary for us.  what was it? He prayed that they would stand "with firm conviction in all the will of God."  They were surrounded by heresy and corrosive philosophies, some of which had a deceptive veneer of true worship.  For example, they were pressured  to observe special days with fasting or feasting, as once was needed in Jewish worship.  False teachers focused on angels, those powerful spirits used  to deliver the Law to Moses.  Imagine being subjected to pressures of that sort!  There was a confusing array of conflicting  ideas. -Galatians 3:19; Colossians 2:8, 16-18.

Paul countered by stressing the role of Jesus Christ.  "As you accepted Christ Jesus the Lord, go on walking in union with him, rooted and being built up in him and being stabilized in the faith, just as you were taught."  Yes, there was a need (by the Colossians and by us) for full conviction about the Christ's role in God's purpose and in our life.  Paul explained:  "It is in him  that all the fullness of the divine quality dwells bodily.  And so you are possessed of a fullness by means of him, who is the head of all government and authority." -Colossians 2:6-10.

The Colossians were spirit-anointed Christians.  They had a distinct hope, life in the heavens, and they had every reason to keep that hope bright.  (Colossians 1:5)  It was "the will of God" that they have firm conviction about the certainty of their hope.  Should any of them have doubted that hope?  Not at all!  Should it be different today for all who have the God-given  prospect of life in an earthly paradise?  No, indeed!  That valid hope is clearly part of "the will of God."  Now consider these questions.  If you are striving  to be one of the "great crowd" who will survive  "the great tribulation,"  how real is your hope?  (Revelations 7:9, 14)  Is it part of your "firm conviction in all the will of God"? 

By "hope" we do not mean a vague wish or daydream.  We can see this from the series of points Paul presented earlier to the Roman.  In  that series, each thing mentioned is linked to or leads to the next.  Give attention to where Paul puts "hope" in his reasoning:  "Let us exult while in tribulation produces endurance; endurance, in turn, an approved condition; the approved condition, in turn, hope, and the hope does not lead to disappointment; because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy spirit." -Romans 5:3-5.

Next time: Continue with  Pray for Firm Conviction

The Watchtower, 2000