The Journey
Paul calls upon all at Colossae who have received Christ Jesus the Lord to “walk” in Him. He prays that all who believe in His name will journey this life learning to “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.” (Col 1:10). The foundation of such a walk is a relationship of growing intimacy with the only true God. Later in the letter, Paul gives clear instruction to seek the things above, set your mind on eternal matters in the heavens rather than the temporary matters of the earth, and find everything necessary for this journey at the heavenly throne where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. What of this walk with God – what does it look like? What does it mean to have a “worthy walk”? What does an intimate relationship with God look like? There is much to learn and we don’t want to squander the opportunity. “Seeking The Things Above” is focused on learning about what it means to have a worthy walk with God, a walk that pleases and honors our Father, evidenced by fruit bearing presented for His glory and honor. In the end, it is all about Him and we want to join together in pursuing the things above with all our hearts, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that we might discover the joy of pleasing our Father. I hope this will be a place where we can come together on such a journey that is worthy of the Lord.
Colossians 1:9-12
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 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; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Set Apart
While confined to a Roman Prison, the faith of the Colossians comes to Paul’s hearing. He cried out on their behalf longing for their faith to mature. He pleaded to the throne for their service as God’s ambassador to be powerful, a pleasing aroma to the Lord. He asked for their character to become a reflection of the Holy One. And finally, he prayed for hearts filled with joy being fully aware of the inheritance given to those set apart for His glory.
Power of God
Conviction
Knowledge of His will
passion
Walking with God
goal
Pleasing in all respect
Evidence
Bearing fruit in good works
A Relationship With God
I realized that I really didn’t understand what it meant to have a relationship with God. My heart longed for intimacy in my daily walk where God was real in my every situation. I claimed to believe in the One who created all things, yet it seemed like I was on the outside looking in. I knew that wasn’t what God intended for those who seek after Him. God convicted my heart that I needed to pay close attention to Paul’s prayer for the Colossians. I was challenged to consider several things as I mined his words for nuggets of guidance:
- I am under strong Conviction. Do I know God? Not do I know about Him – do I know Him intimately with the spiritual wisdom and understanding revealed in my inner man by the Holy Spirit?
- How would I characterize my daily walk with God – my Passion for God? Is it worthy of the One who has called me into a saving relationship, imputed with the righteousness of Christ such that I am adopted as his son with the right to declare Abba! Father! Where is my heart, my devotion, my commitment to Him?
- Is my primary Goal to please self or to please and honor Him? Is my heart divided in this matter – a love for God or a love for the world? Am I “All In” for Christ? What does all this mean practically?
- Paul calls us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the Faith (2 Cor 13:5) – what does the Evidence say? Am I a tree with many leaves but no fruit? I profess but do I possess? Am I bold with the most important message or ashamed? What is the assessment?
I had a mentor tell me, “Your behavior bears out what you believe”. That has led to some serious mirror time.
Where do I stand with God? Where is that intimate relationship with God consistent with the claim to follow the Only True God. I am learning that the source, the power to build such intimacy does not reside in me. Paul’s prayer highlighted that the Colossians would need to be “strengthened with all power according to His glorious might”. The Holy Spirit dwelling within is the source, the strength, the power to realize an ever-increasing intimacy with God.
The prayer paints an amazing cycle of growing our relationship with God. The conviction and pursuit of knowing God intimately motivates the passion to be with Him. Such intimacy drives the desire to honor and glorify the One who has provided such an amazing inheritance as an adopted son. Such inward transformation necessarily produces good works that glorify our Father (Matthew 5:16). And I return with an even deeper desire to know God. And so, the cycle continues for the balance of my sojourn on this earth. At the end of the day, this isn’t about me. My purpose, my value is complete when I understand the chief end of Man: “To Glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” It is there that I find the ultimate purpose for my life.
Iron Sharpens Iron
I long to align with other others who have a conviction of the heart which calls for a more intimate relationship with God. I would be greatly encouraged to build dialogue with those who desire to rise each morning in whatever sphere of influence God has placed them seeking to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, thereby bringing Him his due glory and honor. As an adopted son of God, what could bring me more pleasure? I want to use this blog for the purposes of coming together to understand what such a pursuit looks like practically. It is truly iron sharpening iron – encouraging one another to not settle but to press on as Paul challenges himself and us:
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
A Worthy Walk
I would ask you to consider if this is a burden in your heart. If so, maybe we can come together to encourage one another in the pursuit of a Worthy Walk with God.
“Even as the depth of God’s character will command the believer’s exploration for all eternity, those separated from his presence will reap endless despair as they contemplate the abyss of sinful rebellion.”
— David Dilley