Scripture: “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” – Colossians 1:10
Examination: Paul is commending the Christians in Colossae for their faithfulness, and he is also reminding them of what God has done for them through His Son, Jesus Christ, to discourage them from following old customs and traditions.
Application: When we follow the Lord, we must be sure that we are following Him according to His Word. It is easy to veer away from the path He desires for us, especially if we think we can manage our Christian walk ourselves. We have the security of knowing we are saved; we attend church regularly, and we live a fairly decent moral life. Is that enough to be able to say that we are letting God lead us? No, it is not.
There is an old saving that goes, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” While those who have accepted Christ as Saviour do not need to fear hell, they often unwittingly fall into the trap of “I’m a good person, therefore, I’m a good Christian.” One of the biggest lies that Satan has fed us is that being “good” or “moral” is enough. That is not what the Bible tells us.
“Good” is a very relative term. The definition of a “good” person varies depending on who is doing the describing. Here are a few examples of the world’s definition of a “good” person:
- One who doesn’t lie
- One who is kind to animals
- One who gives money to the poor
- One who is faithful to a spouse
- One who is dependable
- One who is a hard worker
This list can go on and on and on, but in God’s eyes, these definitions mean nothing. Romans 3:10 states, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”, and Isaiah 64:6 reminds us, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” I may be a “good” person in the eyes of the world, but in the eyes of God, I am anything but that.
A person becomes “good” to the Lord in only one way. Paul explains that in Philippians 3:9, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” It is ONLY by trusting Christ as Saviour and having His righteousness imputed upon me that God sees any good in me. 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains the reason God sent His beloved Son, Jesus. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” In regard to that righteousness, Romans 4:24 goes on to state, “But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;”
Once we have placed our faith in Christ for our salvation, we then are “good” and ready to be used by God. We are to “walk worthy” to what God has called us to do, and that is accomplished through His power, not our own. John 15:16 records Jesus’ words, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” Jesus saved us for a purpose, and that purpose was to represent Him to the world so that others might know Him.
This year, determine to walk worthy to that which the Lord has called you to do! Pray without ceasing, meditate on His Word daily, and share Jesus with others!
Memory Verse: “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” – Philippians 1:11
Heartaches, broken pieces
Ruined lives are why You died on Calvary
Your touch is what I long for
You have given life to me
I will serve Thee because I love Thee
You have given life to me
I was nothing before You found me
You have given life to me
(from “I Will Serve Thee” by Bill & Gloria Gaither)