Is your knowledge of God increasing? We live in a world in which all kinds of knowledge multiplies as never before – human cleverness knows no bounds! Sadly, at the same time, awareness and acknowledgement of God is decreasing at an astonishing rate. It reminds us of the parable in which the citizens “hated” him and sent a message saying, “We do not want this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14). Note what happened to them when the king returned (verse 27)! Today, by their actions the citizens are saying, ‘We do not want to even think there is a God who has oversight of our lives and knows the nature of human thought and desire.’

Our thoughts were provoked in this direction by Paul’s letter to the Colossians. The believers there are very much in his thoughts. “We always thank God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you …” (1:3). Timothy is with him (verse 1) sharing his prayers. He emphasizes what occupies his mind in verse 9 “… we have not ceased to pray for you asking that …” And what is he 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 fully pleasing to him …” (verses 9,10),

His next words are, “bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God”. In some contexts we read the word ‘knowledge’ in the sense of “knowing” – becoming ‘fully aware of’ so as to develop a relationship with someone. Consider Job’s final declaration about God after his earnest efforts to understand His ways! See Job 42:2 onwards. Consider also what Jesus accomplished “by his knowledge” (Isaiah 53:11).

Central to our relationship with God is “Christ in you” (verse 27). “Him we proclaim”, writes Paul, “that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (verse 28). How is your maturity developing? Absorbing the true sense of the divine word is a foundation for this. May we all increase day by day in the “knowledge of God” and become “mature in Christ” so his way of thinking becomes more and more our way of thinking.