When the Apostle Paul was writing to the church at Colosse, he told them he was praying for them, that God would give them knowledge and understanding in living the Christian life. Look at Colossians 1:10, “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” That verse basically sums up our lives and duties as believers in Jesus Christ.
1. Walk worthy – If we’re going to claim to be a Christian, we should live a life that backs up our claim! That is probably one of the greatest problems in the world today, millions claim to follow Jesus, but their lives don’t back up what they claim! Paul wrote the church at Philippi and told them the same thing, “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…” (Philippians 1:27)
2. Please God – Paul wrote the church at Ephesus and told the, “… learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). Pleasing God in ALL we do is the daily duty of a Christian. We can eliminate many of the things Christians do by simply asking “Does this please God?” The world’s goal is to please self, but we can’t expect to please God when we are seeking to please our flesh and our sinful nature – it doesn’t work that way! Note that Paul wrote “…please Him in ALL respects…” In EVERYTHING!
3. Bearing Fruit – Our lives are to be shining examples of Jesus, and when we live that way, we will bear fruit to His honor and glory. If our life as a Christian is not having an impact on others around us, there is something wrong! Jesus Himself said, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8) That is one of the proofs that we are genuine in our faith! Do we bear fruit?
4. Increase in the knowledge of God – We are to get to know God more each day. Jesus said in John 17:3, “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:18, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” We do that by drawing close to Him through His Word and by eliminating what His Word teaches is wrong for us!
It’s not rocket science. We don’t have to have a PhD in religion to understand the Gospel and what it should do in our hearts and lives! It’s very plain and clear in the Bible! The problem is, most people just don’t want to submit to God’s authority in their lives! Christianity is not a “religion” it is a WAY OF LIVING, and I think this verse in Colossians 1:10 is a great summary of what our lives should be like!