Walk the Walk

When the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the saints at Colossae, he wanted to encourage them to continue to walk the walk of faith. That means that their daily conduct and character should exemplify Christ and bring honor to His name. Just like today there were false teachers creeping into their church, so Paul prayed that the Colossians would have godly wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

We have not ceased to pray for you, 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 worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9-10

What a contrast between Paul's prayer and most of the prayers we hear today. Usually we pray for physical healing and blessing or for material wants and needs. However, Paul prayed for their spiritual growth. When is the last time you prayed for someone's spirtual growth rather than their physical well being?

Paul prayed for their spiritual knowledge so they would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him. Since these things were written down for our learning, how do we walk in a manner worthy of the Lord? The answer is right there in his prayer. We walk in a worthy manner by growing (bearing fruit in every good work) and knowing (increasing in the knowledge of God).

Just like a fruit tree, God designed Christians to bear spiritual fruit. Jesus said this brings glory to God and lets others know that we belong to Him.We also should be increasing in the knowledge of God. There is nothing worse than an immature adult, and as you grow from a spiritual baby to spiritual adulthood you should become mature. Maturity comes by studying and applying the word of God. Another way to walk worthy of the Lord is to be strengthened with His power and to be thankful.

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:11-14

When we are relying on the Lord for our strength, He gives the power to endure life's circumstance with patience and joy. In these verses we also see several reasons to have thankful hearts. We give thanks to God the Father because He has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Our bodies are the temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit and we have the promise of eternal life in Jesus Christ. We are also grateful that God has delivered us from Satan's snare and transferred us into the kingdom of His dearly beloved Son. Through Jesus' death, burial and resurrection we have redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. So, walk in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ today...growing, knowing, strong and grateful!