Fully Knowing God’s Will VS Fully Knowing God’s Mystery
Colossians 1:9 "Therefore, since the day we heard, we have continually prayed for you, that you may fully know the will of God in all spiritual wisdom and understanding."
Colossians 2:2 "That their hearts may be comforted and united in love, so that they may be richly assured in understanding, and fully know the mystery of God, which is Christ."
|
Aspect |
Fully Knowing God’s Will (Col. 1:9) |
Fully Knowing God’s Mystery (Col. 2:2) |
|
Meaning |
To have a full and proper knowledge of God’s eternal, central, and great will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. |
To arrive at a rich, assured, and complete knowledge of God’s mystery through love and inward comfort. |
|
Reason |
God does not want His people to live in religion, philosophy, or regulations, but in His eternal purpose. |
God Himself and His intention are exceedingly deep and mysterious, requiring revelation and assurance to be fully known. |
|
Core Content |
God’s will = Christ (in Christ, centered on Christ, and for Christ). |
God’s mystery = Christ (the all-inclusive One who is life and the unique person). |
|
Focus |
Emphasizes what God wants and His purpose. |
Emphasizes who God is and what He is. |
|
Way of Knowing |
Spiritual wisdom (in the spirit to perceive) + understanding (in the mind to interpret). |
Being knit together in love + encouragement of heart + full assurance in understanding. |
|
Distinction |
Concerns God’s plan and direction. |
Concerns God Himself and His intrinsic reality. |
|
Illustration |
Seeing the architectural blueprint—knowing what God intends to build. |
Entering the finished building—touching, enjoying, and dwelling in the reality. |
|
Explanation |
God’s will is not about daily decisions (marriage, job, residence) but about Christ being everything to us. |
God’s mystery cannot be explained merely by doctrine; it must be unveiled through experience. |
|
Relationship |
The entrance and direction into God’s mystery. |
The content and ultimate fulfillment of God’s will. |
|
Spiritual Progress |
Knowing that God’s will is Christ. |
Knowing Christ as God Himself revealed to us. |
|
Examples (Colossians) |
Not being distracted by Jewish rituals, human philosophy, or ascetic practices. |
Being fully satisfied in Christ without adding anything else. |
|
Application |
To marry, work, serve, and act in Christ. |
To take Christ as life, person, content, and expression. |
|
Burden |
That believers would not deviate from God’s eternal center. |
That believers would not only know Christ, but fully gain Him. |
|
Significance to the Church |
Causes the church to walk according to God’s purpose. |
Causes the church to become the expression and reality of Christ. |
|
Prophesying Guidance |
Declare: God’s will is not outward matters but Christ Himself. |
Testify: God’s mystery has been revealed—Christ. |
|
Potential Deviation |
Reducing God’s will to moral rules or life choices. |
Turning God’s mystery into abstract theology. |
|
Ultimate Result |
Living and serving according to God’s heart. |
Being filled, saturated, and constituted with Christ. |
|
Conclusion |
Fully knowing God’s will gives the right direction. |
Fully knowing God’s mystery supplies the real content. |
|
Summary |
God’s will points to Christ. |
God’s mystery is Christ Himself. |
|
Expanded Scriptures |
Col. 1:9; Rom. 12:2; Eph. 1:9–10; John 6:38 |
Col. 2:2–3; Col. 1:26–27; 1 Cor. 2:7–10; John 1:18 |
Core One‑Sentence Summary:
Fully knowing God’s will shows us that God wants Christ; fully knowing God’s mystery enables us to gain Christ Himself as everything.
*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, The Most Important Aspects, Week 9: Implementing the Father's Will So that We May Enter the Father's Kingdom on "That Day," the Day of Christ's Judgment Seat.
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