For many people, living a life worthy of God seems like an impossible goal. And yet it is what is expected of Christ’s disciples. Fortunately, the Scripture gives us some clues on how to do this, including this passage from Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae.
It is worth pointing out that Paul is addressing believers here. And that is a crucial first step in walking worthy of God. Until you have confessed Jesus as Lord and placed your trust in him, it will be impossible for you to please God or be worthy of him.
A second important step is to have the desire to walk worthy of God. That desire should naturally flow out of the first step described above. But unfortunately, many are satisfied with just getting by and dismiss the possibility of being worthy.
The Knowledge of God’s Will
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives
Colossians 1:9 NIV
After his prayer of thanksgiving for the church, Paul goes on to pray that God would equip them to walk worthy of himself. He prays that God would fill them with the knowledge of his will. This is an obvious, yet important, step. If we do not know God’s will–what he wants of us–how can we live up to his expectations?
And it is through the Holy Spirit that we gain that knowledge of God’s will. The Holy Spirit alone can give us the wisdom and understanding we need to discern God’s will for our lives.
To Please God in Every Way
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.
(Colossians 1:10a NIV
Paul’s prayer that the Colossian church would grow in the knowledge of God’s will was not just an intellectual exercise, although we sometimes act like it. Too often, we are content with the accumulation of information, but then not applying what we have learned.
The focus of knowing God’s will is to guide you in living a life worthy of the Lord. A life that is pleasing to him in everything you do. And Paul goes on from here to identify a number of ways that we can please him.
Being Fruitful
bearing fruit in every good work
Colossians 1:10b NIV
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.
Bearing fruit should come naturally to believers. In John 15:5, Jesus told us that we will be fruitful if we remain in him. Being fruitful is the natural result of being in Christ. We should be concerned if we are not fruitful.
Growing in Knowledge
growing in the knowledge of God
Colossians 1:10c NIV
God is also pleased with us when we are growing 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.”
Spend time in the Bible. Not just rotely reading it. But looking to encounter God in the pages of his inspired word. Words he has given us so we can know him and know what pleases him.
And spend time in prayer. Not just rattling off a list of requests, but spending time getting to know God. Share your heart and mind with him. And listen for his response. It will likely not come in audible words. But you should learn to recognize him leading and guiding your thoughts.
Strengthened with God’s Power
being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience
Colossians 1:11 NIV
Trust and depend, not on your strength, but on the power God has for us. When we do, we can have great endurance and patience, able to serve our Lord faithfully, regardless of our circumstances. It pleases God when we trust him and remain faithful, even through hard times.
How much power does God have for us? In Ephesians 1:19-24, Paul refers to God’s incomparably great power for those who believe. And he compares it to the power God exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand, far above all other powers. The power he has for me will enable me to do anything he calls me to do.
Joyfully Giving Thanks
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 1:12 NIV
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. Even when circumstances are hard, we can joyfully give thanks to the Father.
Seek to know God’s will for your life. Then you can live a worthy life that pleases him in every way.
A Divine Rescue Mission
In these next two verses, Paul elaborates on why we can, and should, joyfully give thanks to the Father.
Rescued from Darkness
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness
Colossians 1:13a NIV
The first half of this verse describes where we came from, the dominion of darkness. The use of darkness here is not referring to the absence of physical light. Rather, it is a spiritual condition. It is being separated from Christ, who is the light of the world (John 1:4).
Living in darkness is our natural state. In John 12:46, Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” All of us started in darkness. But Jesus came to deliver us from that darkness. And those who believe in him are brought into the light.
Dominion has to do with power, authority, or sphere of influence. Three places in John refer to the prince of this world (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11). The dominion of darkness is the realm where the prince of this world rules. In our natural state, we live in the domain of Satan, the god of this age, who blinds our eyes to the light of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4).
But God launched a rescue mission, sending his Son to deliver us from the dominion of darkness.
Brought into the Kingdom
and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13b-14 NIV
This reflects the other half of what God has done for us. Delivering us from the dominion of darkness was just the start. He delivered us in order to bring us into the kingdom of Christ. From darkness into light. This kingdom is also known as the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God in the gospels. And it is the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed during his years on earth.
A significant theme in Colossians is who Jesus is. Paul’s description of the supremacy of Christ begins here and continues through the remainder of this chapter and into the next one.
In Christ, we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. When we are in Christ, we are in his kingdom. And it is in him that I experience redemption. We can describe redemption and being in Christ as if they were distinct. But the two go together. Redemption brings me into Christ. And in Christ, I am redeemed.
