To walk worthy means to live and act in such a way that is worthy of claiming whatever it is you lay claim to. For instance, a soldier in the army is supposed to live in a manner worthy of being called a soldier. The same is true with the Christian life. If we claim to be a Christian, we should walk worthy of the title which we claim – act, talk, and live like a genuine Christian should live! Otherwise, don’t bother claiming to be a Christian.
Several times in the New Testament, Paul used the terminology in telling us and others how we should live. Look at what he wrote in these passages:
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” (Ephesians 4:1)
“so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10)
“we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:12)
Notice, he writes several times – walk worthy of what you claim. But especially note the passage in Colossians. He not only tells us to walk worthy, he emphasizes HOW to walk worthy.
1. Fully Pleasing to Him
2. Bearing fruit in every good work
3. Increasing in the knowledge of God
In other words, if we are going to claim to be a Christian, we should live in such a way that backs up our claim! We should in EVERYTHING we do seek to please God, seek to bear fruit by living rightly and pointing others to the Gospel with our lives, and Also to INCREASE in the knowledge of God.
The next verse in that chapter in Colossians tells us where we get the strength to walk like that, “May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,”
(Colossians 1:11) – We can’t do it in our own strength, we MUST rely upon Almighty God and His Holy Spirit living in us to guide us, direct us, and enable us to Walk Worthy.