PLEASE GOD, LIVE OUT HIS WILL
10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God,
Colossians 1:10 (CSB)
Paul prayed for the Colossians to embody their faith and fulfill God's will in their lives. He emphasizes that his prayer was not only for them to understand God’s will but also to live according to it. He prays that the Colossians would “walk worthy of the Lord.' Living worthily today depends on a life of prayer, helping us seek God's guidance and the strength to faithfully fulfill our calling.
Walk Worthy. Paul prays that the Colossians would “walk worthy of the Lord.” He acknowledges that a believer's life should reflect the presence of Christ. To walk worthily means living in a way that visibly demonstrates and honors Jesus. Such a life manifests God’s Word, follows the Spirit's guidance, and upholds the truth spoken about Christ. Paul prays for this because he understands that living in this manner can be challenging.
Fully Pleasing. The Apostle prays for the Colossians' lives to be completely pleasing to the Lord, aiming to make the Father proud. Pleasing here means to bring glory and honor to God, reflecting their faithfulness. Paul wants their lives to honor the Lord and evoke His pride because of their faithful actions. I think of a child who pleases parents by completing tasks or representing the family well. When we seek to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord that fully pleases Him, we aim to honor the Heavenly Father through our obedience and faithfulness, effectively representing God's Kingdom.
Bearing Fruit. The apostle Paul prayed that the actions of the Colossians would bear fruit. Every action produces some kind of fruit. Some actions yield rotten fruit because they stem from the flesh and fallen nature. Others produce good fruit because they come from a life of faithfulness and obedience to the Lord. Each moment presents an opportunity to produce good fruit for God's Kingdom. Paul prayed for such activities to be present in the lives of the Colossians. Likewise, we should pray to the Lord for the ability to produce good fruit through actions rooted in faithfulness and obedience.
Growing in Knowledge. Paul prays for the Colossians to deepen their relationship with the Lord as they encounter His presence, promises, and provision through faithful living. This experience of living for Him offers an opportunity to know Him more intimately. When we strive to walk worthily, aim to please the Lord, and undertake actions that bear good fruit, we naturally strengthen our relationship with Him through these experiences.
QUESTIONS
Do the actions of your life and the meditations of your heart please the Father and bear fruit?
What steps do you take to gain knowledge in the Lord and what steps could you establish to spark deeper growth?
