Godly Living. Colossians 1:10. The next part of Paul's prayer focused on the Colossian saints' obedience to walk in a manner "worthy of the Lord." Careless living aimed at pleasing people is not what the one praying or the Lord to whom he or she prays has in mind. "All wisdom" in understanding leads to "all pleasing" in how we live. The point is that we are to be pleasing to the Lord, not just to people. When we experience God's grace and understand His will, we will come to know Him, which makes us fruitful. Learning and living are connected in someone who walks in a manner "worthy of the Lord." There is direction as well as growth in their lives. Our walk and our work are linked. Service to God and worship of God go hand in hand as well. The more we obey God and submit to His will for our lives, the more we will personally grow in our knowledge of Him.
Understanding “His will” makes a life of holiness possible. The kind of wisdom Paul aimed for the Colossians was practical and helpful for them in knowing God. To “walk” and “please” the Lord at the same time is a combination that can't be achieved through human effort. Walking means living consistently, day after day, in the right way and heading in the right direction. That means we would be growing in a normal and healthy Christian life, motivated by the desire to walk worthy of the Lord and please Him who loved us.
When we aim to please the Lord, this is shown through being fruitful and growing in our personal knowledge of God. Fruitfulness occurs when our desire to be holy drives us to pray, study the Bible, worship in spirit and truth, dedicate ourselves to advancing the Lord’s work, and personally witness to God's grace. None of these actions are new or beyond our ability to do. When they genuinely become part of our lives, we will grow in the knowledge and fellowship of God, not just learn facts about Him.
Spiritual understanding and intelligence in believers who live in a way that pleases God reflect what God has done for them and is doing in them, and this cannot be hidden from those who still don’t understand why they are here or what life is really about. “Every good work” that aligns with what we declare makes the knowledge of God more than just a gathering of facts. Instead, it becomes a visible life force that influences those around us and enables us to be effective in advancing the kingdom of God. An assembly of believers who fulfill this calling would greatly influence their community.
Spiritual intelligence doesn't happen by accident. It involves a person's mind and will. God's Word must be read and meditated on for its meaning to become clear to our spiritual understanding. When we dedicate time to this, we can expect life to make more sense. We will prioritize God's things and desire to serve Him diligently.
The Christian life involves a steady daily walk on the path of practical obedience. My attitude and spiritual understanding are reflected in the places I go, what I do, and how I speak. Walking worthy of the Lord is no small task, nor is it always easy, because in doing so, His name and His words are shown in the lives of God’s children. The walk of faith is one way to lead those I know to Christ and accept Him as Savior.
People do two kinds of work that, at first glance, seem the same, but they are different. One objective may require me to be more efficient, leading to material gain. The same work can also be done for the Lord and His glory, making it fruitful with eternal rewards. When the final judgment comes, it will be the fruitful work of obedience to the Lord, not just to gain recognition. How can I increase my knowledge of God so that it brings spiritual benefit? Increasing knowledge of God comes through the spiritual truths found in and revealed through His word. To learn more about the Lord Jesus, I must read the Gospels repeatedly. The conduct of life and the church is described in the book of Acts and all the epistles.
Moral excellence does not develop in a single moment. Intelligence, obedience, and knowledge are all essential to grow in understanding of divine truth—its knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual insight. Life, as we know it, begins instantly, but true abundance comes when God's truth becomes real to us and is put into action. We must diligently focus on these three areas so we can keep learning: the depth of God's love, all His grace provides, and the great privilege of serving Him, from which we will never depart.