KBM A Worthy Walk

Today we are going to take a moment to examine a letter Paul wrote to the Colossian church. This letter is unique from the others in that Paul had actually never been to that congregation, but while in prison Epaphras had told Paul of them and their faith (Colossians 1:3-8). Now here we see the genuine love Paul has for God and the church. From the very day Paul heard about the church there he had been praying for them (Colossians 1:9). Today, I want us to look at what Paul prayed for and how that can help us as Christians today have “A Worthy Walk” in the Lord. So let’s read Colossians 1:9-14.

Colossians 1:9–14 (NKJV)

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

First we find that to walk worthy of the Lord we must be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and the wisdom and understanding to apply it in our lives. This is further explained in verse 10 showing that we get filled with the knowledge of God’s will by increasing our knowledge i.e., studying God’s will and when we do so we then can apply it which is visible in the fruit we produce, in other words our actions. This reminds me of Ezra 7:10…

Ezra 7:10 ESV

10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

Second we find that to walk worthy in the Lord we must rely on that knowledge of God wills which means understanding he is to do everything within his power to get us to heaven with him for an eternity. That knowledge of his will strengthens us, allows us to be patient and suffer the persecution that comes with righteousness with joy. Jesus would say in Matthew 5:10-12…

Matthew 5:10–12 NKJV

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Thirdly, we find that to walk worthy in the Lord we must “give thanks” to God who has graciously given and mercifully us the opportunity to walk worthy of the Lord through his Son’s sacrifice. Unfortunately many miss this vital point in walking in a worthy manner for the Lord. Notice the warning Paul gives in Romans 1:21.

Romans 1:21 NKJV

21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

To present ourselves approved of God and we must walk worthy of the Lord by knowing, living, and being strengthened by our Creator’s will. We must then honor, glorify, and give thanks to him, our loving God, who has done all this for so that we can spend and eternity with him.