PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD THAT THEY MIGHT "That ye might . . . " Paul prayed the Colossians – all of them – would be "filled with all wisdom and spiritual understanding" in order THAT THEY MIGHT . . . Other versions read "SO THAT you may" WALKING WORTHY " . . . walk worthy of the Lord . . ." Here is a line of heavenly reasoning that can hardly be found within the professed church – particularly the American church. In fact, it stands in stark contrast to much that flies under the banner of Christendom. GOD HAS SPOKEN ON WORTHINESS Whatever may be said about being "not worthy" or "unworthy," considerable is said about true worthiness. The following are most sobering words, and are to be taken seriously by every professed believer. -- Tomorrow:
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." (Colossians 1:9-11, KJV)
Devotion 16 of 32
"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord . . . "
Other versions read, "that you MAY walk worthy of the Lord"
There is a reason why Paul prayed the Colossians would be "filled with all wisdom and spiritual understanding." The filling itself was not the point, but what would result from it. There was a holy objective that was targeted, and the Divinely appointed means to its realization was being "filled with all wisdom and spiritual understanding." What follows cannot be achieved without the filling. Conversely, it cannot fail of fulfillment if the filling is present.
The word "worthy" comes from a word meaning "appropriately, as becomes one, in a manner proper to, after a godly sort, and suitably"
There is certainly a sense in which we are not worthy of what we have in Christ Jesus. We can confess with Jacob, "I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast showed unto Thy servant" (Gen 32:10). This, however, is not the usual manner in which the Holy Spirit deals with this subject.
1. "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not WORTHY of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not WORTHY of me" (Mat 10:37-38).
2. "But they which shall be accounted WORTHY to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage" (Luke 20:35).
3. "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted WORTHY to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36).
4. "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted WORTHY to suffer shame for his name" (Acts 5:41).
5. "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk WORTHY of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Eph 4:1).
6. "That ye would walk WORTHY of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory" (1 Thess 2:12).
7. "Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted WORTHY of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer" (2 Thess 1:5).
8. "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you WORTHY of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power" (2 Thess 1:11).
9. "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are WORTHY" (Rev 3:4).
There should be no question about the validity and necessity of walking worthily. Our theology must be purged of any views of expressions that do not allow us to speak in this way.
There is an objective that is realized by obtaining "all wisdom and spiritual understanding." That purpose is not to make us theological experts, or to qualify us as scholars in Biblical matters. Rather, it is to the end that we may "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing." Actually, to be filled with such marvelous perception and comprehension has no other utility. It cannot be used to make an individual famous, or to increase their monetary worth. It does not promote institutional agendas, or contribute to personal worldly ambitions. The aim is to enable us to live in a worthy manner before the Lord.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to live in a manner that You consider worthy of Your own Self.