To live as Christ is not to simply
attend a worship service and say a prayer before dinner. If we wish to be true
followers of God, then we must put God as the number one priority in our lives.
If sports, hobbies, family, or friends come between us and God, then there is
something fundamentally wrong with how we view the cross of Christ. Jesus told
His disciples who would have to give up everything to follow Him because of the
social situation of the day, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of
Me. (38)
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of
Me” (Matthew 10:37-38). To follow Jesus is to walk after Jesus, and we can see
this idea of a walk throughout scripture. A walk is one's lifestyle. It's not
how they live for one or two days out of the week or thirty seconds before a
meal. A walk is a 24/7 way of living, and it is this attitude towards following
God that we must have to continually be cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John
1:7). We are to walk as He walked, and this seen when John said, “He who says
he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6).
Before we walked in newness of life, we walked in darkness. Paul said, “And you
He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, (2) in
which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2). In the book of Colossians, Paul gives us
information concerning how we are to walk in every chapter. It is these four
passages that we will notice today.
attend a worship service and say a prayer before dinner. If we wish to be true
followers of God, then we must put God as the number one priority in our lives.
If sports, hobbies, family, or friends come between us and God, then there is
something fundamentally wrong with how we view the cross of Christ. Jesus told
His disciples who would have to give up everything to follow Him because of the
social situation of the day, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not
worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of
Me. (38)
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of
Me” (Matthew 10:37-38). To follow Jesus is to walk after Jesus, and we can see
this idea of a walk throughout scripture. A walk is one's lifestyle. It's not
how they live for one or two days out of the week or thirty seconds before a
meal. A walk is a 24/7 way of living, and it is this attitude towards following
God that we must have to continually be cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 John
1:7). We are to walk as He walked, and this seen when John said, “He who says
he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:6).
Before we walked in newness of life, we walked in darkness. Paul said, “And you
He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, (2) in
which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience” (Ephesians 2:1-2). In the book of Colossians, Paul gives us
information concerning how we are to walk in every chapter. It is these four
passages that we will notice today.
WALK WORTHY
“That you may walk
worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
If we
wish to walk worthy of the Lord, then we must produce fruit. We do this by
making our calling and election sure because Peter says, “For if these things
are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8). The fruit that is produced when we
follow the seven-step process that is found in 2 Peter 1:5-7 is the fruit
(singular) of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23)
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians
5:22-23). If one walks according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh
(Romans 8:1), then these attributes will be present in one's life. One cannot
have one or two of these characteristics and consider themselves to have the
fruit of the Spirt; all must be present in one's life. Many Christians may be
kind and have joy, but their longsuffering and self-control is nowhere to be
seen. These individuals cannot say that they are walking worthy of the Lord and
must strive to correct their lives by following the procedure set out by Peter
in 2 Peter 1. Concerning those that are
unfruitful, Jesus said, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes
away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit”
(John 15:2).
wish to walk worthy of the Lord, then we must produce fruit. We do this by
making our calling and election sure because Peter says, “For if these things
are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8). The fruit that is produced when we
follow the seven-step process that is found in 2 Peter 1:5-7 is the fruit
(singular) of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23)
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians
5:22-23). If one walks according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh
(Romans 8:1), then these attributes will be present in one's life. One cannot
have one or two of these characteristics and consider themselves to have the
fruit of the Spirt; all must be present in one's life. Many Christians may be
kind and have joy, but their longsuffering and self-control is nowhere to be
seen. These individuals cannot say that they are walking worthy of the Lord and
must strive to correct their lives by following the procedure set out by Peter
in 2 Peter 1. Concerning those that are
unfruitful, Jesus said, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes
away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit”
(John 15:2).
Another
aspect of walking worthy is increasing in the knowledge of God. Our increasing
in knowledge is directly related to the strength of our faith (Romans 10:17).
The individual that seeks to bear much fruit will have a faith in God that will
be leaps and bounds above the forgetful hearer. We can increase in the
knowledge of God by peering into His mind, and we do that through study of the
scriptures. “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit
searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (11)
For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man
which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of
God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the
world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have
been freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). As the Bible was
revealed more and more, the mind of God became clearer and clearer to the
church. That coupled with the fulfillment of prophecy and miraculous signs
brought the church into a “face to face” relationship with God (1 Corinthians
13:9-12). Now we can enjoy that face to face relationship as well, and the more
we talk to God and allow Him to speak to us through His word, the more fruit we
will be able to bear. The increasing of knowledge, however, can cause one to be
puffed up, so study of the scripture must be coupled with doing every good work
to balance ourselves out. Some spend all day cooped up in their house or office
studying and they are confused as to why they aren't bearing fruit. If we don't
apply what we learn through our studies to our lives, then we won't be able to
say that we are walking worthy.
aspect of walking worthy is increasing in the knowledge of God. Our increasing
in knowledge is directly related to the strength of our faith (Romans 10:17).
The individual that seeks to bear much fruit will have a faith in God that will
be leaps and bounds above the forgetful hearer. We can increase in the
knowledge of God by peering into His mind, and we do that through study of the
scriptures. “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit
searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (11)
For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man
which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of
God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the
world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have
been freely given to us by God” (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). As the Bible was
revealed more and more, the mind of God became clearer and clearer to the
church. That coupled with the fulfillment of prophecy and miraculous signs
brought the church into a “face to face” relationship with God (1 Corinthians
13:9-12). Now we can enjoy that face to face relationship as well, and the more
we talk to God and allow Him to speak to us through His word, the more fruit we
will be able to bear. The increasing of knowledge, however, can cause one to be
puffed up, so study of the scripture must be coupled with doing every good work
to balance ourselves out. Some spend all day cooped up in their house or office
studying and they are confused as to why they aren't bearing fruit. If we don't
apply what we learn through our studies to our lives, then we won't be able to
say that we are walking worthy.
WALK IN
As you therefore have
received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6).
received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6).
Paul
gives us more details about how we can walk in Christ in the following verse
when he says, “Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you
have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7). To walk
in Him, we must begin with the very foundation on which we stand and build from
there. This is the same idea that we saw above in our reference to 2 Peter 3.
We should not pressure other Christians into walking with the same maturity as
we walk if we've had more time to build ourselves up. Some have had more
opportunity in their life to build upon the foundation of faith than others
because of obeying the gospel earlier, a different life situation, or any other
number of reasons. Unity, then, does not rely in conformity because not
everyone progresses at the same pace and reaches the same level of knowledge at
the same time. As Paul instructed the Christians in Romans 14-15 and Galatians
6, we must be patient with each other as we all strive to become mature in
Christ.
gives us more details about how we can walk in Christ in the following verse
when he says, “Rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you
have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:7). To walk
in Him, we must begin with the very foundation on which we stand and build from
there. This is the same idea that we saw above in our reference to 2 Peter 3.
We should not pressure other Christians into walking with the same maturity as
we walk if we've had more time to build ourselves up. Some have had more
opportunity in their life to build upon the foundation of faith than others
because of obeying the gospel earlier, a different life situation, or any other
number of reasons. Unity, then, does not rely in conformity because not
everyone progresses at the same pace and reaches the same level of knowledge at
the same time. As Paul instructed the Christians in Romans 14-15 and Galatians
6, we must be patient with each other as we all strive to become mature in
Christ.
Another
element to walking in Him is abounding with thanksgiving. We can express our
thanks through prayer, the way we live, and song (1 Thessalonians 5:18;
Colossians 3:16-17). As Christians, we have a lot to be thankful for – more
than we will ever know as long as we are in these physical bodies. It is in
this way that “the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One
died for all, then all died” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Christ did not die for us
because we are righteous or because we are wonderful people. Jesus died for us
while we were yet dead because of sin. “For when we were still without
strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7)
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good
man someone would even dare to die.
(8) But God demonstrates His own
love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (9)
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be
saved from wrath through Him. (10) For if when we were enemies we were
reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been
reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:6-10). If Christ showed so
much grace towards us, shouldn't we live a life of thanksgiving towards God and
be willing to extend grace towards others as He did? Is that not the entire
purpose of walking in Him?
element to walking in Him is abounding with thanksgiving. We can express our
thanks through prayer, the way we live, and song (1 Thessalonians 5:18;
Colossians 3:16-17). As Christians, we have a lot to be thankful for – more
than we will ever know as long as we are in these physical bodies. It is in
this way that “the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One
died for all, then all died” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Christ did not die for us
because we are righteous or because we are wonderful people. Jesus died for us
while we were yet dead because of sin. “For when we were still without
strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7)
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good
man someone would even dare to die.
(8) But God demonstrates His own
love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (9)
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be
saved from wrath through Him. (10) For if when we were enemies we were
reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been
reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Romans 5:6-10). If Christ showed so
much grace towards us, shouldn't we live a life of thanksgiving towards God and
be willing to extend grace towards others as He did? Is that not the entire
purpose of walking in Him?
WALK AWAY
“Because of these
things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, (7) in
which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them” (Colossians 3:6-7).
things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, (7) in
which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them” (Colossians 3:6-7).
We once
walked in darkness, but now we walk in the light. Part of walking in the light
is walking away from sinful things that have no eternal benefit. “If we say
that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth” (1 John 1:6). To walk in darkness is to walk in “anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, [and] filthy language out of your mouth” (Colossians
3:8). One who continues to walk in these things while proclaiming to walk in
the light has deceived himself. We must rid ourselves of those habits, but we
must also be patient with those who have just begun to walk away from those
things. Just as Paul was patient with the church at Corinth and Jesus was
patient with some of the assemblies of Christians in Revelation 2-3, we must
also learn to be patient with one another and help assist each other in our
walking away from our old bad habits.
walked in darkness, but now we walk in the light. Part of walking in the light
is walking away from sinful things that have no eternal benefit. “If we say
that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not
practice the truth” (1 John 1:6). To walk in darkness is to walk in “anger,
wrath, malice, blasphemy, [and] filthy language out of your mouth” (Colossians
3:8). One who continues to walk in these things while proclaiming to walk in
the light has deceived himself. We must rid ourselves of those habits, but we
must also be patient with those who have just begun to walk away from those
things. Just as Paul was patient with the church at Corinth and Jesus was
patient with some of the assemblies of Christians in Revelation 2-3, we must
also learn to be patient with one another and help assist each other in our
walking away from our old bad habits.
Those who
walk away from their past sins can have confidence knowing that even when they
do sin, and we all will, they have an advocate with the Father. “My little
children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone
sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John
2:1). This wonderful thing is called grace, and when we survey how a lot of
people act towards each other, we wonder whether some have even heard of it!
Some even act as if grace is a bad word, but just because some may abuse the
concept of grace does not mean that we shouldn't shout its principles from the
rooftop (Romans 6:1-2). Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). Remember our definition of walk! This
doesn't apply to those who don't walk worthy, walk in Him, and walk away from
their sins! There is no condemnation who have made walking according to the
Spirit an everyday lifestyle.
walk away from their past sins can have confidence knowing that even when they
do sin, and we all will, they have an advocate with the Father. “My little
children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone
sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John
2:1). This wonderful thing is called grace, and when we survey how a lot of
people act towards each other, we wonder whether some have even heard of it!
Some even act as if grace is a bad word, but just because some may abuse the
concept of grace does not mean that we shouldn't shout its principles from the
rooftop (Romans 6:1-2). Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). Remember our definition of walk! This
doesn't apply to those who don't walk worthy, walk in Him, and walk away from
their sins! There is no condemnation who have made walking according to the
Spirit an everyday lifestyle.
WALK WISELY
“Walk in wisdom
toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).
toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).
If we
walk worthy, walk in Him, and walk away from our past way of life, then we will
have the tools needed to walk wisely. This type of life will have a great
impact on those that we meet daily – from those we may only meet in passing to
those who we regularly interact with. Paul said, “that you may become blameless
and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (16)
holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of
Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:15-16).
The assembly of Christians at Philippi were in a prime position to be lights to
the crooked generation in which they were living. When we consider the state of
the world around us today, we should also take advantage of the time that we
have and let the light that we walk in shine brightly to everyone around.
walk worthy, walk in Him, and walk away from our past way of life, then we will
have the tools needed to walk wisely. This type of life will have a great
impact on those that we meet daily – from those we may only meet in passing to
those who we regularly interact with. Paul said, “that you may become blameless
and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (16)
holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of
Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:15-16).
The assembly of Christians at Philippi were in a prime position to be lights to
the crooked generation in which they were living. When we consider the state of
the world around us today, we should also take advantage of the time that we
have and let the light that we walk in shine brightly to everyone around.
Peter
spoke to those who may be in a relationship with non-believers, and he said, “Wives,
likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the
word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, (2)
when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear” (1 Peter
3:1-2). We will also positively impact those around us, but we must walk
wisely. We sometimes can get into the habit of acting as Christians around other
Christians, but then acting as the world when we interact with the world. This
is not very wise! No wonder so many are unfruitful! We have the greatest gift
to give, and it would be very unwise to not offer it to everyone, but nobody
will know we have a gift if we keep in hidden (Matthew 5:13-16)!
spoke to those who may be in a relationship with non-believers, and he said, “Wives,
likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the
word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, (2)
when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear” (1 Peter
3:1-2). We will also positively impact those around us, but we must walk
wisely. We sometimes can get into the habit of acting as Christians around other
Christians, but then acting as the world when we interact with the world. This
is not very wise! No wonder so many are unfruitful! We have the greatest gift
to give, and it would be very unwise to not offer it to everyone, but nobody
will know we have a gift if we keep in hidden (Matthew 5:13-16)!
CONCLUSION
“If we say that we
have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the
truth. (7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).
have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the
truth. (7) But if we walk in the light as He is in the
light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).
Oh
walk, walk, walk worthy of Him by walking in Him and away from your sins. Walk
wisely in order that you can have a positive influence on your home and
community. Walk in such a way that you can bear much fruit and so that you can
make your calling and election sure. Walk so that when you fall, you have
confidence to get back up! Walk so that when others fall, you can offer them a
helping hand. Walk in love. Walk in grace. Walk in truth. Walk in the precious
light of God!
walk, walk, walk worthy of Him by walking in Him and away from your sins. Walk
wisely in order that you can have a positive influence on your home and
community. Walk in such a way that you can bear much fruit and so that you can
make your calling and election sure. Walk so that when you fall, you have
confidence to get back up! Walk so that when others fall, you can offer them a
helping hand. Walk in love. Walk in grace. Walk in truth. Walk in the precious
light of God!
This article was really helpful