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, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:10-12 NIV
In his prayer for the Colossian church, Paul prayed that God would fill them with the knowledge of his will. This would allow them to live a life worthy of the Lord and to please him in every way. Paul went on to list at least some ways we can please God.
First is that we would be fruitful in every good work. Are we doing good things, caring for those in need, the poor, the immigrant, and the hurting (Zech. 7:10, Matt. 25:34-40)? Are we serving as the hands and feet of Jesus, following the example he set for us? It pleases God to see us doing good.
God is also pleased with us when we grow in our knowledge of him. He wants us to know him more and more. To be growing in both intellectual and relational knowledge. Don’t be content with your current understanding of, and relationship with, God. It’s not “good enough.”
Trust and depend, not on your strength, but on God’s power for us. When we do, we can have great endurance and patience, able to faithfully serve our Lord, regardless of our circumstances. It pleases God when we trust him and remain faithful, even through hard times.
We have much to be thankful for. And it pleases God when we express to him our thankfulness. He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and made us a part of the kingdom of his Son (Col. 1:13). And we have an inheritance awaiting us beyond anything this world offers. Joyfully give thanks to God for all he has done for you.
Seek to know God’s will for your life. Then, you can live a worthy life that pleases him in every way.
