WALKING IN A MANNER PLEASING TO GOD
What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord? Jesus told us to love God and love others. Loving God and others takes the focus off of our own lives, our own wants, desired and perceived needs, and places it on serving God and helping others. As I have written previously, discovering our spiritual gifting and operating in that gifting is a key component to fulfilling God's purpose and call on our lives. We cannot be worthy of the Lord or please Him or bear fruit unless we are fulfilling His call. For More on Spiritual gifts CLICK HERE
Many people find life unfulfilling. The pursuit of fulfillment, often times, leads to wasted efforts. King Solomon lamented a life squandered by seeking fulfillment in the things of the world. Solomon sought meaning in physical relationships, in wealth building, in monument construction and in knowledge, yet he concluded that all these things from which he sought meaning were meaningless. Solomon's conclusion was fulfillment is only found in serving God.
How many times have we read about a well known personality, who has died in the pursuit of fulfillment, whether it be by accidental overdose, an accident brought on by intoxication or health problems caused by a decadent lifestyle? Even sadder, how many celebrities, having realized the futility of their pursuits, chose suicide? To read more on this CLICK HERE Like Solomon, there are some, who attain everything they believe should make them happy and fulfilled, only to realize that those things were not satisfying beyond the immediate gratification of attainment. Once the initial thrill has worn off, the pursuit of the next thrill begins. This is futility personified.
In Colossians 1:10 we find a key to fulfillment and purpose. I cannot tell anyone what specifically to do to please God and bear fruit. Your relationship with God is personal and tailor made just for you. I can tell you that obedience to God, whatever that looks like in your life, is essential. We know that God desires we spend time with Him in His word and in prayer. We know that God wants us to fellowship with other believers. We know God wants us to treat others well. Beyond the basic commands to love God and love others, my rules from for obedience and holy living may not be the same rules for you. My relationship with God is based on my calling, my gift, my weaknesses and my mission, as is yours. Your personal obedience, beyond the basic commandments, can only be found by pursuing God and His will for your life.
ON BEARING FRUIT
Many people find life unfulfilling. The pursuit of fulfillment, often times, leads to wasted efforts. King Solomon lamented a life squandered by seeking fulfillment in the things of the world. Solomon sought meaning in physical relationships, in wealth building, in monument construction and in knowledge, yet he concluded that all these things from which he sought meaning were meaningless. Solomon's conclusion was fulfillment is only found in serving God.
How many times have we read about a well known personality, who has died in the pursuit of fulfillment, whether it be by accidental overdose, an accident brought on by intoxication or health problems caused by a decadent lifestyle? Even sadder, how many celebrities, having realized the futility of their pursuits, chose suicide? To read more on this CLICK HERE Like Solomon, there are some, who attain everything they believe should make them happy and fulfilled, only to realize that those things were not satisfying beyond the immediate gratification of attainment. Once the initial thrill has worn off, the pursuit of the next thrill begins. This is futility personified.
In Colossians 1:10 we find a key to fulfillment and purpose. I cannot tell anyone what specifically to do to please God and bear fruit. Your relationship with God is personal and tailor made just for you. I can tell you that obedience to God, whatever that looks like in your life, is essential. We know that God desires we spend time with Him in His word and in prayer. We know that God wants us to fellowship with other believers. We know God wants us to treat others well. Beyond the basic commands to love God and love others, my rules from for obedience and holy living may not be the same rules for you. My relationship with God is based on my calling, my gift, my weaknesses and my mission, as is yours. Your personal obedience, beyond the basic commandments, can only be found by pursuing God and His will for your life.
ON BEARING FRUIT
Bearing fruit is essential for every believer. Luke 6:43-44a "For there is no good tree wich produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. for each tree is known by it's fruit" Jesus condemned Israel for not bearing fruit as a nation, as demonstrated by His encounter with the figless fig tree. We bear fruit by living under God's authority, following the prompting of His Spirit and serving Him in the capacity which He has enabled us. Fruit bearing, on a personal level, does not mean having a dynamic ministry that brings in thousands, or even dozens, of people. Fruit bearing is not having "success" in evangelism. Fruit bearing, for the believer, is subtle and natural, just as a fruit tree, once established, bears fruit in season. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. True fruit in the life of a believer is born from within and manifests itself outwardly. As we continue on as disciples of Christ, growing in faith and obedience, these things in Galatians will be natural by products. When these fruits are manifested, our very lives become living testimonies of faith.
INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
One would assume that we need to increase in the knowledge of God before we can walk in a manner that is pleasing to Him and before we can bear good fruit. One would assume wrong. Once we are born again, we are new creations. Born again believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and the fruit we bear is the fruit of the Spirit. It is His fruit that is borne in us. We increase in the knowledge of God so we can increase in our ability to please God and to bear good fruit. Once we increase in our knowledge of God, it is essential that we put that knowledge into practice. Scripture says James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. Increasing in the knowledge of God initiates and perpetuates our sanctification. Sanctification is the process of the Holy Spirit changing us into the image of Christ Himself. Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Colossians 1:10 provides us with a guide to holy living. Discipleship is taking passages like this from the Bible and actively pursuing the application to our lives. As born again believers, we should desire a closer walk with God and a deeper relationship with Him. As we draw closer go God, our lives will begin to change and we will have opportunity to serve Him. The goal is not to be busy for God, but to know God and allowing that knowledge to transform us into the image of Christ. God is the one who does the work, we simply follow His lead and serve under His guidance and provision - Jesus said "my yoke is easy and my burden is light." This does not mean we will have an easy path to follow or that we will have no difficulties, it means we are yoked together with Him and He helps carry our burdens, while we are walking with Him. Walking in a manner worthy of God is not work but surrendering to His will and allowing Him to guide our footsteps in life.
INCREASING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
One would assume that we need to increase in the knowledge of God before we can walk in a manner that is pleasing to Him and before we can bear good fruit. One would assume wrong. Once we are born again, we are new creations. Born again believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and the fruit we bear is the fruit of the Spirit. It is His fruit that is borne in us. We increase in the knowledge of God so we can increase in our ability to please God and to bear good fruit. Once we increase in our knowledge of God, it is essential that we put that knowledge into practice. Scripture says James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. Increasing in the knowledge of God initiates and perpetuates our sanctification. Sanctification is the process of the Holy Spirit changing us into the image of Christ Himself. Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Colossians 1:10 provides us with a guide to holy living. Discipleship is taking passages like this from the Bible and actively pursuing the application to our lives. As born again believers, we should desire a closer walk with God and a deeper relationship with Him. As we draw closer go God, our lives will begin to change and we will have opportunity to serve Him. The goal is not to be busy for God, but to know God and allowing that knowledge to transform us into the image of Christ. God is the one who does the work, we simply follow His lead and serve under His guidance and provision - Jesus said "my yoke is easy and my burden is light." This does not mean we will have an easy path to follow or that we will have no difficulties, it means we are yoked together with Him and He helps carry our burdens, while we are walking with Him. Walking in a manner worthy of God is not work but surrendering to His will and allowing Him to guide our footsteps in life.
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