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| Vol. 14 No. 10 October 2012 | Page 10 |
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| Vol. 14 No. 10 October 2012 | Page 10 |
Chad Ezelle
Our Lord made it very clear to the people who first followed Him: they were to ask God to meet their needs. Shouldn’t we? Genuine, heartfelt prayer can produce powerful changes in our lives and world. When we lift up our hearts to God, asking for His wisdom, we open ourselves up to a great source of wisdom and love.
Do you have questions about today? Questions about your future that you can’t answer? Questions about choices or decisions you’ll soon have to make? Needs that you can’t satisfy by yourself? Have you sought God’s wisdom? Have you asked for direction? Protection? Strength? Courage? If you have, do you consistently ask for His wisdom? Our God is perfectly capable of answering your prayers, but first, you have to ask. Find some time today to read James 1:5. Think about it. Put it into practice.
Jefferson Sole
It was common for Paul to pray for the spiritual well-being of the church of Christ and record the substance of his prayers in letters sent to various congregations (Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2, etc.). In Colossians 1:9-12, Paul earnestly prayed that the brethren would be “filled with the knowledge” of God’s will (1:9) to ensure they might “walk worthy of the Lord in all pleasing” (1:10a). Paul was frequently concerned about the brethren “walking worthy of the Lord” (Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 2:12), but what does it really mean? In Colossians 1:10b-12, Paul describes the attributes of a Christian walking worthy of the Lord.
A Christian who is walking worthy of the Lord is a productive Christian. Paul wrote that the brethren should continually be “fruitful in every God work” (1:10b). The majority of Christians bear fruit through good works knowing that they are God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10), their actions will bring glorification to God (John 15:5), and they will be judged according to their work (2 Corinthians 5:10). Tragically, there are some among God’s people who provide no service to the church; they are bearing no fruit at all. They have discarded the Lord’s example of ministry and have become takers rather than makers of good fruit (Matthew 20:28). Those that behave in this manner have often convinced themselves that their present condition is “good enough,” though the Lord’s assessment will be much different (Revelation 3:15-17). Equally alarming are those in the Lord’s church that are continually bearing fruit, but are continually bearing bad fruit. Those that habitually sin against God reveal their dwelling place is not Christ and will be punished accordingly upon the day of judgment (1 John 3:6-9; 2 John 1:9; Romans 2:6-11).
A Christian who is walking worthy of the Lord is a growing Christian. Paul continued to describe the Christian who is walking worthily as one who is, “increasing in knowledge of God” (1:10c). There is no shame in a Christian starting his or her growth process on the milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:2), but there should be noticeable progress throughout one’s Christian life (Hebrews 5:12-14). Do you view your spiritual growth with utmost importance? The difference between eternal life and eternal destruction depends on your knowledge of God (John 17:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).
A Christian who is walking worthy of the Lord is an empowered Christian. Paul wrote, “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” (1:11). The word translated “strengthened” comes from a word (dunamis) which means “ability, power.” The Lord empowers His people with His power (“glorious might”), which He undoubtedly extends by way of the “glorious Gospel” (1 Timothy 1:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Christians are empowered to attain endurance (“steadfastness”) and longsuffering in order to overcome the trials of this life and reach the finish line victorious (James 1:2-4; 5:10-11).
A Christian who is walking worthy of the Lord is a thankful Christian. Paul continued in verse 12 with these words, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” All faithful Christians are in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27), and all spiritual blessings are found in Christ, which includes an unimaginable inheritance (Ephesians 1:3; Romans 8:17). Therefore, God should be the recipient of continuous praise from His people (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Are you walking worthy of the Lord?