Colossians 1:11 Power

strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience... [Colossians 1:11 NASB]

Paul is continuing his prayer for the Colossians that they would bear fruit for every good deed and increase in the knowledge of God. He also said;

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. [Galatians 6:9-10 NASB]

The strength to steadfastly continue doing good works, and to seek more of the knowledge of God, comes from God.

Jesus told His disciples;

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” [Acts 1:8 NASB]

At this point they had already received the Holy Spirit for salvation.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [John 20:21-22 NASB]

 They were to wait in Jerusalem for the promised baptism of the Holy Spirit. The event is described in Acts;

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance...But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words. “For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says,‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND;AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY,AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS,AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRITAnd they shall prophesy. [Acts 2:1-4, 14-18 NASB]

Some have reasoned, based on this description, that it is necessary to speak in tongues in order to be baptized in the Spirit. Or that Speaking in tongues is a sign of the baptism. The scriptures, however, don't support that thought. The descriptions through the book of Acts of people receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit describe a variety of manifestations; speaking in tongues, prophecy, or "power". As for seeking a sign, Jesus said,

"An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet." [Matthew 12:39 NASB]

When you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you can expect a manifestation of power, as the power of God fills you. Not as a sign, but to strengthen and empower you to live more fully for Him.

The baptism of the Holy Spirit is separate from salvation. You can be saved without ever have been baptized in the Spirit. So, how do you know whether you have been baptized? If you have ever had a personal experience with the power of God, then you can confidently say that you have experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit. If you have never had such an experience, then you can be sure that you have not.

If you have never been baptized in the Spirit, pray that you will receive it, and wait on God. Do not try to work up some emotion or experience. That would be of the flesh, and counter-productive. Seek God fervently, and you will find him. Jesus said,

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” [Luke 11:13 NASB]

If you have received the Baptism in the Spirit, don't rest on that one experience for a life of power. Just as salvation is a one-time experience followed by a lifetime of being sanctified, so the baptism is a one-time experience followed by a lifetime of being filled with His Spirit.

It is necessary to continue in prayer, diligently seeking God, so that you may be continuously filled with His Spirit. Then you will have the power to continue steadfastly and patiently in His work.

Lord God, I thank You for Your Holy Spirit. I pray that you will fill me with Your spirit, and strengthen me so that I will never grow weary of doing Your will.