After Paul’s loving introduction to the Colossian church, he reveals his prayer for them. A prayer we might also pray for ourselves and others. In it he writes, “so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way” (Colossians 1:10 NET). How can I ever do that in such a broken world with a heart so filled with humanity myself? Can any of us do this? Afterall, does not Romans 3:23 tell us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”? Knowing that my redemption is dependent on Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. And recognizing that my only hope of righteousness is found in His covering me with His cloak of righteousness. Then how can I ever live worthy of the Lord?
So, as we delve into the letter to the church of Colossae, let us also keep this thought in mind. Let each of us search our own hearts to seek the answer to that question, “How can I live worthy of all that He has done for me? In the end I think we will find that we only can through the awesome power of Jesus Christ. Still, what does that look like and how do we learn to live in that power. He was victorious over sin and death. The Holy Spirit indwells us with His power, and we only must learn how to turn on the power switch. So let us begin.
Introduction
From Paul,[a] an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 to the saints, the faithful[b] brothers and sisters[c] in Christ, at Colossae. Grace and peace to you[d] from God our Father![e] (Colossians 1:1-2 ESV)
Note the inscription. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. He was not one of the original while Christ walked on this earth; but he is one of the 12 apostles because Christ chose him to be. Christ met him on the road to Damascus. This was a proper introduction seeing that Paul had not been to Colossae. They had heard of him through Epaphras, “a[o] faithful minister of Christ on our[p] behalf (Galatians 1:8). Yet Paul addresses them rightly as his own family—brother and sisters in Christ, declared as saints before God.
Where does hope and love come from?
Paul goes on to commend their hope and love; then, he reminds all of us of where true hope and love begins.
3 We always[f] give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since[g] we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints. 5 Your faith and love have arisen[h] from the hope laid up[i] for you in heaven, which you have heard about in the message of truth, the gospel[j] 6 that has come to you. Just as in the entire world this gospel[k] is bearing fruit and growing, so it has also been bearing fruit and growing[l] among you from the first day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth. 7 You learned the gospel[m] from Epaphras, our dear fellow slave[n]—a[o] faithful minister of Christ on our[p] behalf— 8 who also told us of your love in the Spirit. Galatians 1: (ESV)
Our hope is not in this world, but heaven. Our faith and love arise from this hope, remembering all this brokenness is only momentary. We are on a long camping trip in the wilderness, heading to our final home. Realizing that we gain strength and momentum to keep on keeping on with joy in our hearts. That helps us to live worthy, keeping our focus on Jesus.
Steps on How to Live Worthy
Paul records a prayer which provides the steps on how to live worthy and what that looks like. This is a prayer we can pray for ourselves and others. So, I will put it here in its entirety, then we will break down the steps found within.
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Galatians 1 NET)
3 steps Necessary To Live Worthy
- “Ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives”. To turn on the switch, we must ask Him to guide us and direct us. Open our minds and heart to listen to His wisdom and understanding. RESULT: We live a life worthy and please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work.
- Grow in the knowledge of God. This is both a step—in that we must study His word to grow in the knowledge of God and a result of #1. RESULT: we are strengthened with all power according to His glorious might. When we grow in His knowledge, we become aware of His Almightiness. That in turns strengthens us; because we know His power is in us which leads to endurance and patience in the face of trials
- giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. Sing a song of praise! Why?. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. RESULT: Our joy overflows into a life who out of love desires more than anything to live worthy.
Furthermore, to live worthy, we must never forget
The Supremacy of Christ
15 [aa] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn[ab] over all creation,[ac]
16 for all things in heaven and on earth were created in him—all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions,[ad] whether principalities or powers—all things were created through him and for him.
17 He himself is before all things and all things are held together[ae] in him.
18 He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn[af] from the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.[ag]
19 For God[ah] was pleased to have all his[ai] fullness dwell[aj] in the Son[ak]
20 and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross—through him,[al] whether things on earth or things in heaven.
We can live worthy only because He IS WORTHY OF ALL HONOR AND PRAISE AND GLORY FOREVER.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.